* The developers of the project intend to extend the gas pipeline with two more ramifications
Since yesterday, the "Nord Stream" pipeline is operating at maximum capacity, as announced by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In his speech, addressed to the attendees for the festivity of the commissioning of the new pipeline, the head of the Russian state said, quoted by "Voice of Russia": "Today an event happened which is very important for us. We have completed the building of the second ramification, and the < Nord Stream > pipeline is beginning to function at maximum capacity. European consumers will be able to receive annually up to 55 billion cubic meters of Russian gas".
"Nord Stream" crosses the territorial waters of five Baltic states, representing an investment of 6.4 billion Euros, money raised through the biggest banks in the world.
Experts say that the project is one of the most successful in Europe and that its construction must continue.
According to president Putin, Russian, Italian, German and Japanese companies participated in the construction of the project.
"Unique technological tasks were accomplished. In less than two years and a half, 2500 kilometers of pipeline were built at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The works were conducted under difficult conditions, out at sea, at great depths. Innovative methods were used", the Russian president also said, who went on to say that over 100 million Euros were invested in the scientific and ecological studies.
"Nord Stream" can operate in a completely automated manner, under the permanent control of the coordination center, without any intermediary compression stations, which will allow for lower operating costs and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
The new pipeline is capable of meeting Europe's rising demand for energy resources, according to Vladimir Putin.
