Germany rejected the application of the operator "Nord stream – 2" on the output of the project under EU directives
Federal network Agency Germany (BNetzA) rejected the application of the operator "Nord stream – 2" on the output of the Nord Stream pipeline 2 from the effect of the updated Gas Directive of the European Union. The regulator noted that the exemption from the limitation could apply only to gas pipelines, the construction of which was completed by 23 may 2019 and 2 Nord Stream does not fall under these criteria.
opinion about the application of the output of the "Nord stream – 2" under the EU directives left 10 member countries of the European Union, announced to BNetzA. Full text of the decision will be published on may 17, in the version for publication will be hidden the names of the parties involved.
This means that "Gazprom" will be able to use the "Nord stream-2" after the completion of only 50%. Remaining capacity needs to be provided to other suppliers. To solve this issue for the offshore pipeline will have to create a special gas transmission operator, independent of the provider.
2 Nord Stream AG believes that Germany's decision to reject the application for exemption of part of the pipeline "Nord stream-2" from the rules of the EU gas Directive shows the discriminatory effect of the document. The company does not agree with the decision and does not exclude that will appeal against it.
Gas Directive of the EU was changed in 2019, an updated version of the Directive distributes the key requirements for marine pipelines passing within the territorial waters of EU countries. In December, BNetzA opened to accept applications for withdrawal from the scope of the updated guidelines of the company Nord Stream AG Nord Stream AG 2 appealed to the regulator in January.
At the end of 2019 because of the US sanctions the contractor of "Gazprom" — the Swiss company Allseas, has suspended work and took all their ships, who built the "Nord stream-2". In "Gazprom" in mid-February 2020 announced that the gas pipeline will be launched at the end of the year.