Copenhagen issued a permit for the installation of gas pipes in its special economic zone in the Baltic Sea Company «Baltic Pipe». However, Norwegian-Polish pipeline in any case not become an alternative to “Northern stream 2”, but even more so will not stop its construction.
quite the contrary, Copenhagen was in an ambiguous situation,: environmental risks SP-2 disappeared, and judicial consequences for opposing the project were. Who would have thought, Denmark would be so significant player in the European gas market! But the main thing here is not the size, and strategic location: my island, My territorial waters, What do I want, I turn back. To smile, and who will return one sweep.
Baltic fog
Scandinavian favor recently become operational in Denmark issued a building permit release of the gas pipeline «Baltic Pipe» to the land on the east coast of the country. The Danish Agency for Environmental Protection, it runs at number one. With the second resolution, construction in Danish waters offshore section of the pipeline from Norway Poland, as it appears, a long time will not pull.
but wait: about the same, and even without a landfall, requests that the Danish «Nord Stream 2" - operator of the construction of "Nord Stream 2". Only it is necessary to build a small section of the underwater section of the pipeline near the island of Bornholm. The first application of the «Nord Stream 2" was filed back in 2017 year, And nothing has changed.
Denmark, how meticulous lady, I decided to balk at the higher values - the environmental aspects of the gasket “SP-2”. allegedly, It does not hurt the gas pipeline from the east so vulnerable Danish nature? In this case, permission to build other countries have long been issued. In Sweden, Finland and Germany are no environmental concerns the project for some reason did not cause. Notably, what “Northern stream 2” It will be built next to its predecessor - “Nord stream”. And with regard to him in Denmark in the past issues does not appear.
After issuing the Environmental Protection Agency of the Danish first authorization for «Baltic Pipe» around all environmental nebula “SP-2” dispel. It is not in fear about the delicate nature of the marine Baltic Sea. Just a small Scandinavian country decided to play geopolitical muscles.
But not alone: Denmark simply define their position, finally moved to block opponents “Northern stream 2”. In him, as is known, Estonia listed, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland, and now Denmark. A uniquely looms shadow behind them known overseas Powers. Well, «Baltic Pipe» served not only as an alternative to SP-2. true, it kind of weedy and dusty.
The project of this pipeline is not less 20 years. He spent a long time in the vaults euroallied - investors did not want them to be interested in. Even last year, experts are skeptical about its prospects. EU brakes and put off the selection of investments on the Norwegian-Polish pipe.
But with the approach of the threat from the east, that is, the active construction of "Nord Stream 2", «Baltic Pipe» transfigured in his eyes. Lobbyists found the money in the bowels of the EU, Norwegian-Polish pipeline shook off the dust, and loudly declared itself as a serious competitor to the onslaught of the gas from the East.
more precisely, It claimed by Poland, which is worn with "BP" as a written sack. true, alternative to this - some purely small-town. The estimated capacity of the pipeline from Norway - all 10 billion. cubic meters per year. Approximately the same amount annually from Poland buys “Gazprom”. The contract with the Russian company ends at 2022 year. By this time, just it plans to complete the construction of «Baltic Pipe».
Russian infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers will establish new guns
Help a neighbor to advance the project on the Baltic Sea - is, of course, noble cause. But Denmark economize on these movements? Well, yes - Danish Energinet.dk acts as a contractor in the construction of gas pipeline, but investment, basically, not so great - is estimated at 1,7 billion. dollars. In general, the transit case: We allowed - paved. But to deal with the neighbors in the region still have.
Crosswise
First of all, Denmark will anyway debriefing with a neighbor - Germany. Weave a network about environmental risks NP-2 - is, at least, not very serious for this project. Gas-it - from the east, but the project uses the most advanced Western technologies, in the construction of a pool of participating large companies - the real cream of the European oil and gas community.
Germany respond to the Danish “sand in the wheels” - not known yet, but “otvetka” necessarily will. INVITATION - Insights.
German cards, reinforcing tough criticism of the Danish veto, where more Russian
Changed and the Russian side, the rhetoric. Quite a long time, Russia was waiting position, hoping, Denmark is not particularly persist for “Northern stream 2”. all agreed: Let again the Danish ecologists will test the environmental components of the project. It was proposed three options for laying the underwater aqueduct. But when the pause was tightened, the first version, it was decided to withdraw.
On Minister Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Affairs last week already ceased to play diplomacy, Just calling the actions of the government of Denmark confrontational course.
“I regret to have to state, Denmark took politicized position and delaying the issuance of permits for the laying of the pipeline in its exclusive economic zone”,
- the minister said.
According to him, such a move is contrary to the principles of international maritime law, allowing to build energy infrastructure facilities in the waters.
At the same time Russia is quite hard to set deadlines for the further promotion “Northern stream 2”. As the chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC “Gazprom” Viktor Zubkov, Russia hopes, Denmark in October, would agree to a request by the SP-2, and then we can at the end of the year to complete this very important project.
Copenhagen is unlikely to persist and to put new stumbling block to the bottom of the Baltic Sea. After all, the Danish authorities have got themselves in a not very pleasant situation. they will not delay the issuance of the second resolution «Baltic Pipe» - why let down Poland-girlfriend? But cling to the environment make sense anymore.
experts point, that the issuance of a permit Norwegian-Polish pipeline, conversely, can accelerate problem solution “Northern stream 2”.
Yes, he formally put in place after the «Baltic Pipe». But after a certain time, Denmark should give the green light to the SP-2, otherwise there is a precedent - it is possible to go to court with very unpleasant consequences for Copenhagen. Besides, the Russian-German pipeline remains a right of first: he should first go to the bottom of the Baltic Sea, and only then it will cross the Norwegian-Polish pipeline.
there is no alternative
And here it is not very pleasant times may come for him. The so-called intersection node necessarily have to agree with the «Nord Stream 2". AND, of course, the question arises - whether it will be a problem to arrange for “alternative” pipeline. can theoretically, but in practice it is unlikely to be lowered to such “bottom”.
And what about yourself «Baltic Pipe»? clear, that there is no alternative “Northern stream 2” he will never. Weight categories absolutely different. Especially that Norwegian gas have long been dismantled consumers. Norway annually produces about 118-120 billion. cubic meters of gas, and opportunities for a significant increase in production is simply no. Norwegians every year have to climb farther into the sea, in order to maintain the current production volumes. In other words, if Norway would send gas to Poland, then it will not receive other consumers. Miracles do not happen.
the shortage, likely, It will cover all the same “Gazprom” and partly LNG. Last just very convenient to plug gas “holes”. And here, too, Russia has prepared - LNG tanker fleet increases, and the liquefied fuel is already coming to Europe. Notably, Poland last year to reduce purchases of Russian gas 6%, and in general supplies from Russia to Europe rose 3,5%.
In this way, «Baltic Pipe» could well be an empty tube, which at a certain market conditions may in general “break”. Also, as noted by many business media in Poland itself,, the country has yet to agree on the gasket «Baltic Pipe» ... with "Gazprom".
Sergey Osipov
