Nordstreams

Nord Stream is a series of offshore natural gas pipelines that transport gas from Russia to Europe. The first pipeline, Nord Stream 1, was completed in 2011 and has a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year. Nord Stream 2, completed in 2021, has a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year as well, doubling the total capacity. The pipelines run from Vyborg, Russia, to Lubmin, Germany, with a branch to Zeebrugge, Belgium. Nord Stream AG, a German-Russian joint venture, owns and operates the pipelines. The project has been a subject of international controversy due to its political and economic implications, as well as environmental concerns. The pipelines have been criticized for their potential to increase Russia's influence in Europe and for their impact on European energy security and independence. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the pipelines' potential impact on marine life and the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The project has also been a point of contention between the European Union and the United States, with the latter imposing sanctions on the project's developers. Despite these controversies, Nord Stream has been seen as a significant project for Europe's energy security and a potential source of revenue for Russia.