The Danish Energy Agency granted Nord Stream permission to operate the first of its twin pipelines that will transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. The application for Line 1 was sent in March – exactly two years after Nord Stream applied for permission to construction of the Nord Stream project.

The operations permit has been granted by the Danish Energy Agency as Nord Stream has met and fulfilled all the requirements and commitments stated in the construction permit. Nord Stream has furthermore initiated a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme to ensure that the pipeline has no impact on the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea.

The Operations Permit is based on the documentation submitted by Nord Stream, such as detailed plans which will guarantee the safe operation and maintenance of the natural gas pipeline. The Danish Energy Agency states that Nord Stream is responsible for emergency response planning as well as communicating with the responsible authorities. Nord Stream must also maintain an operational organisation which has sufficient resources and competencies in order to secure the safe operation of its pipeline. Furthermore, the company must also continuously submit reports on the status of the operations of its pipeline.

“We are happy to receive the operations permit from the Danish Energy Agency today. Thanks to a smooth cooperation with the Danish authorities Nord Stream today has taken a step further in securing safe gas deliveries to Europe – including Denmark,” says Nicklas Andersson, Head of Permitting for Denmark and Sweden.

Each of the two pipelines is constructed in three sections. Prior to the advanced underwater welding process, the sections were gauged and thoroughly pressure-tested. Each section was pressurised beyond its planned maximum operating pressure to demonstrate that it can withstand its full operating pressure.

The delivery of gas through Line 1 will begin in the last quarter of 2011. By the end of 2012 both lines will be fully operational. The twin pipelines are each 1,224 kilometres long and run along the bed of the Baltic Sea from Vyborg, Russia to Lubmin, Germany. Combined, they will deliver 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually.