The introduction of US sanctions against the Nord Stream-2 project will not lead to a halt in the construction of the pipeline, but it can complicate the organization of project financing, Deputy Director General of the National Energy Security Fund Alexei Grivach commented to RIA Novosti.
«I think that the introduction of sanctions will not lead to a halt in construction, and it can create difficulties for the organization of project financing, in which it is planned to return bridge loans issued by Gazprom and the strategic partners of the project,» Grivach said.
«On the other hand, sanctions against European companies can fill the patience of Europeans who, firstly, can retaliate against the Americans, and secondly, will be forced to actively defend their interests in the Nord Stream-2 project,» he added. expert.
US Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Thursday after a meeting with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the States plan to impose additional sanctions against Russia’s energy sector, as well as against Nord Stream-2. For his part, Novak once again stressed that this project is commercial, competitive and European consumers are interested in it, because pipeline gas is the most reliable way to cover peak demand.
The Nord Stream-2 project involves the construction of two strings of a gas pipeline with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from the Russian coast through the Baltic Sea to Germany. The new pipeline is planned to be built next to the current «Nord Stream». It will pass through the territorial or exclusive economic zones of countries along the shores of the Baltic Sea: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Of these countries, Nord Stream 2 AG, operator of Nord Stream-2, has to receive building permits only from Denmark.
Novak commented on the statement of sanctions against «Nord Stream — 2»
Russia is concerned about the US statements about possible sanctions against the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project, which is an absolutely commercial and competitive project, said Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak.
«We are concerned about both the position and the statements that are made about the possibility of imposing sanctions on an absolutely competitive project in which European consumers are interested,» Novak told reporters after talks with US Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
«We see that gas consumption in Europe is increasing, own production is falling, and pipeline gas is the most reliable and affordable way to provide energy to consumers and the most peak values that are very often in Europe, especially during cold periods,» the Russian minister said.
«The development of such infrastructure is primarily aimed at protecting consumers,» he stressed.
