Nord Stream 2

Nord Stream 2 is a natural gas pipeline built to carry gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Nord Stream 2 is a natural gas pipeline built under the Baltic Sea to transport gas from Russia to Germany. The project was completed in September 2021 but never entered commercial operation, as certification was suspended in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The pipeline was designed to double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream route and was financed by Gazprom and several European energy companies.

Background

Nord Stream 2 was launched in 2015 as a project to expand direct gas exports from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea. It followed a route similar to Nord Stream 1 and was intended to increase supply capacity to Europe.

Construction and completion

Construction began in May 2018 after years of planning and regulatory disputes. The pipeline was completed in September 2021, but it did not begin commercial service.

Political controversy

The pipeline became a major point of dispute in Europe and the United States because it would bypass Ukraine and other transit countries. Critics argued that it increased Europe’s dependence on Russian gas, while supporters described it as a commercial energy project.

Status after 2022

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Germany halted the certification process. The pipeline remained unused and its future became uncertain.