Supplies of Russian gas via the first train of the Nord Stream gas pipeline built via the Baltic Sea to Germany, have reached the project's maximum capacity, Gazprom's deputy CEO Vitaly Markelov said Wednesday.
"Yesterday, we reached the maximum capacity of Nord Stream," he told reporters at a briefing, adding that currently the network, including pipelines and compressing stations, is working in a testing mode.
Nord Stream's first line with a capacity of 27.5 Bcm/year started operations in November 2011.
Construction of the second train, which is to double the project's capacity, is expected to be completed in October.
Regarding possible expansion of the Nord Stream project, Markelov said the issue is still under consideration.
"The decision has not been taken so far," he said.
Gazprom's head Alexei Miller said in December that Gazprom had started preliminary talks on further development of Nord Stream.
Nord Stream company, the project's operator, expects to evaluate the possibility to build up to two additional lines by the end of the year.
Russia's Gazprom controls a 51% stake in Nord Stream. The other shareholders are BASF/Wintershall and E.ON Ruhrgas, each with 15.5%, as well as Gasunie and GDF Suez, each with a 9% stake.
