Nord Stream pipelines

Why in news?

• Four leaks were reported at different points in the Nord Stream pipelines, linking Russia and Europe.
• It may raise the cost of natural gas (already at its peak) for India and LPG/CNG consumers in India may have to bear the brunt.

About Nord Stream pipelines:

• Nord Stream is a system of offshore natural gas pipelines in Europe, running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
• It includes two pipelines running from Vyborg to Lubmin near Greifswald forming the original Nord Stream (also known as Nord Stream 1) and two further pipelines running from Ust-Luga to Lubmin termed Nord Stream 2.

Countries through which Nord Stream passes:

• The Nord Stream crosses the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of several countries including:
  • Russia
  • Finland
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Germany
• Territorial waters of:
  • Russia
  • Denmark
  • Germany

Add ons:

• 40% of Europe’s pipeline gas came from Russia before the war (now 9%).
• The Nord Stream projects have been fiercely opposed by the United States and Ukraine, as well as by other Central and Eastern European countries, because of concerns that the pipelines would increase Russia's influence in Europe, and because of the knock-on reduction of transit fees for use of the existing pipelines in Central and Eastern European countries.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Nord Stream pipelines, widely discussed in news, passes through

(a) Caspian Sea

(b) Baltic Sea

(c) Black Sea

(d) North Sea

Answer