Construction of Offshore Pipelines in Accordance with Environmental Standards
May 28, 2007 | Zug | The debate about the environmental impact of infrastructure projects in the Baltic Sea needs to finally be approached in a more rational manner. “As several companies consider building gas pipelines across the Baltic Sea, they must have realised that it is possible to construct such pipelines in accordance with international environmental standards. The projects show that improving the energy infrastructure with offshore solutions does not inevitably mean damage to the Baltic Sea”, says Dirk von Ameln, Permitting Director of Nord Stream AG.
Nord Stream is only one of several planned or existing energy infrastructure projects in the Baltic Sea. In addition to the pipeline from Vyborg to Greifswald, further offshore natural gas pipelines across the Baltic Sea are under consideration: Poland is interested in a connection from Denmark across the Baltic Sea (Baltic Pipe), while Estonia and Finland are also planning a connecting pipeline across the sea (Balticconnector). Furthermore, there are submarine power cables and several offshore wind parks. All of these projects strive to minimise their impact on the environment and preserve the Baltic ecosystem.
While planning and constructing the pipeline, Nord Stream AG acknowledges concerns and recommendations of the Baltic Sea countries, and is determined to make sure that the new pipeline meets the comprehensive environmental standards. The decision taken by the company to invest in further complex investigation of the route optimisation, in addition to the comprehensive studies already made and planned, reconfirms Nord Stream’s commitment to conservation of the Baltic Sea and minimisation of environmental impacts.
Generally, all energy infrastructure projects face very similar challenges in the Baltic Sea. Such challenges can be handled if a project is planned very carefully and the best available technology is used to meet the highest environmental standards, as Nord Stream does. Therefore, Nord Stream AG believes that the future discussion of environmental concerns will become much more realistic and less speculative in nature.
In order to fully assess how many energy infrastructure projects have already been built or are under consideration, please find attached an overview of such projects in the Baltic Sea.
