Report: Poland delays N Stream-2 permit decision to Aug 31–Gazprom

MOSCOW, Jul 19 (PRIME) -- The Polish antimonopoly authority has postponed making a decision to allow Russian gas giant Gazprom to build the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline to August 31 if there is no need for additional information, Chairman of Gazprom’s board of directors Viktor Zubkov told channel Rossiya 24 in an interview broadcast late Monday.

“The Polish received our application, they promised to consider it and we expected to receive the permit on July 18 in accordance with the terms envisaged by the Polish legislation. But unfortunately, rather than a permit, we received six additional inquiries,” Zubkov said.

According to Zubkov, Germany has already given its consent on construction of a pipeline segment across its territory, while negotiations with Finland, Sweden and Denmark are under way in accordance with the schedule.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a gas pipeline with an annual capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Gazprom will hold 50% in the project, while E.ON, BASF, Royal Dutch Shell, and OMV will own 10% each, and Engie will get a 9% stake.

Zubkov also said the project of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline to Europe, which was suspended when relations with Turkey worsened, is still important for Russia.

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