Nord Stream 2, the contested $9 billion Russian gas pipeline, has secured the permit to build and operate the Swedish portion of the project in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Oil & Gas Journal reports.
The 1,230-kilometers-long pipeline system will transport natural gas from Russia to the European Union.
The permit was granted by the government, represented by the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, which is in charge of the application. The permit covers an approximately 510-kilometers-long route section in the Swedish EEZ.
“This is an important milestone for the Nord Stream 2 project. We are pleased to have obtained the Swedish government’s approval to construct and operate the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline,” said Nord Stream 2 Senior Advisor Lars Gronstedt.
According to Nord Stream 2, Sweden permitting manager Nicklas Andersson stated that “We are now looking forward to continuing the productive cooperation and open dialogue with the Swedish authorities during the upcoming construction phase.
Preparatory seabed intervention works, such as pre-lay rock berms and concrete mattresses for cable crossings, will start at specific sections along the Swedish route in the coming months, while pipe laying in the Swedish EEZ is scheduled to start later this year.
Nord Stream 2 AG has already obtained the permits required for the construction and operation of the pipeline system in Germany and Finland.
The national permitting procedures in the two remaining countries along the route – Russia, and Denmark – are proceeding as planned, the company said.
