The developer of the almost-complete Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany is set to resume pipe-laying work in German waters next month, according to a notice to sea-farers.
The resumption would mark the first activity on laying the pipe for almost a year and would suggest the developer has found a way to continue work despite the threat of US sanctions.
According to the notice, published Nov. 27 by the German Waterways and Shipping Authority Stralsund, a small stretch of pipe will be laid for both strings of Nord Stream 2 using a vessel "held in position with anchors."
The notice said the work would be likely carried out between Dec. 5 and Dec 31.
A spokesman for Nord Stream 2 referred to the start of work taking place on Dec. 5 "at the earliest."
"The vessel to be used will be specified at a later date," the spokesman said Nov. 30.
A little over 150 km of Nord Stream 2 remains to be laid in Danish and German waters, but the threat of US sanctions against companies involved in laying the pipeline saw work suspended since the end of last year.
Switzerland-based Allseas was the principle pipe-layer for the project before work was halted.
Nord Stream 2 must inform the Danish authorities of its plans to lay the pipeline in its waters in advance, and it remains unclear when and how the Nord Stream 2 operating company will lay the final kilometers of the pipeline in Danish waters.
Nord Stream 2 is crucial to Russia's plans to scale down from 2021 utilization of the Ukrainian transit corridor for its gas supplies to Europe.
