Are there any alternatives to the completion of Nord Stream 2

22

There are only a couple of days left before the beginning of the calendar winter. In this regard, the Russian pipe-laying ship Akademik Chersky left the German port of Mukran for Kaliningrad, since it would be very problematic to complete the construction of Nord Stream 2 during storms. But the impending winter is not the only problem, so far the main obstacles in the path of the Russian-German project remain the American sanctions, which it is not clear how to bypass. In this regard, it is worth considering whether it is generally necessary to continue building this gas pipeline despite the growing restrictive measures and common sense? Are there any other sane alternatives? The question is extremely ambiguous and there will be no simple answers to it.

On the one hand, $ 2 billion has already been invested in Nord Stream 12, half of which has been invested by Gazprom, the second - by its European partners. These corporations do not want to be the first to leave the project, despite pressure from the United States, for fear of losing their investments and getting sued. Relatively inexpensive Russian pipeline gas is needed by Western European countries to reduce dependence on Ukrainian transit and increase the competitiveness of European industry in relation to the American one. The launch of Nord Stream 2 at full capacity will allow Germany as a transit country to become the largest regional gas hub and increase the leverage of economic pressure on its neighbors, consolidating its status as the EU leader.



Berlin is pursuing a balanced policiesby diversifying its energy supply sources as much as possible: it buys LNG, investing in the receiving infrastructure on the coast, and pipeline gas, and prepares technological groundwork for the transition to renewable energy sources under the Green Deal. Chancellor Merkel is in favor of bringing the construction of Nord Stream 2 to completion, since she has made a big political stake on this gas pipeline.

On the other hand, there are too many obstacles on the way of the Russian pipeline, which the American authorities put up for it. President Trump has pushed on Nord Stream 2 to clear the way for US LNG exporters. Joe Biden, proclaimed the winner of the presidential election, is also against Russian gas in Europe, since in the framework of the "fight against climate change" he intends to promote certain renewable energy technologies in the Old World, naturally developed by transnational corporations of American origin. Both Republicans and Democrats will put pressure on the gas pipeline, hindering its completion and subsequent operation, and Washington has a very large arsenal of tools for this.

At first, under pressure from the White House, Denmark has been delaying the issuance of a building permit for years.

Secondly, American puppets in Brussels extended the Third Energy Package to offshore gas pipelines, which is why Nord Stream 2 was automatically half empty. After that, talking about its commercial effectiveness for Russia can only be a stretch.

ThirdlyAfter the sanctions signed by President Trump almost a year ago, the Swiss contractor immediately gave up construction, and the unfinished pipe still lies at the bottom of the Baltic.

Fourthly, Imported from the Far East, "Academician Chersky" cannot proceed with the independent completion of the pipeline, since no reputable international insurance company is ready to contact him so as not to lose business because of the anger of the United States.

FifthlyNorwegian Det Norske Veritas - Germanischer Lloyd (DNV GL) refused to provide services related to the inspection of ships involved in the construction due to fear of US sanctions.

The negative trend is obvious and it would be naive to assume that this is the arsenal of measures to counter Nord Stream 2. At any time, the United States can impose new sanctions: from the maintenance of an already built pipe (if it is allowed to be laid) up to some measures against the buyers of Russian gas. This means that the pipeline is turning into a source of permanent problems with highly questionable commercial benefits for our country. Inevitably, the thought suggests itself, but not to give up the whole thing? But then the already invested funds will be lost, which we would not want.

However, perhaps there is another option to minimize losses from the failure of Gazprom. For example, in case of impossibility of normal operation of Nord Stream 2 due to restrictions imposed by the United States, why not carry it instead of Germany to the Kaliningrad region, which is also located in the Baltic? To build LNG plants there, which will liquefy the gas supplied through pipes, and from there supply it by tankers at market prices to European consumers? The LNG receiving infrastructure has already been built in abundance, and if Western Europe is not ready to assert its right to buy relatively inexpensive pipeline gas from Russia, let it take it in liquefied form on a general basis. At the same time, they would increase the energy independence of the Kaliningrad region, isolated from the rest of the Russian territory, actually turning it into a gas hub.

Of course, in such a project there is something to criticize and improve with a clever air, but, probably, this is better than just throwing several billion dollars down the drain on the failed Russian-German gas pipeline.
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  1. -1
    29 November 2020 12: 39
    And what, very interesting, and in many ways unexpected, the author's idea about the completion of the "sanctioned" gas pipeline right up to Kaliningrad! wink
    Although, of course, there are a lot of difficulties along this path (with the same amerovskie mongrels - Germany, Denmark and Poland, insurers and pipes), but in this case, for the most part, "the ball will be on the field of Russia"!
    Bravo, dear Author-Sergey Marzhetsky! good You know how to think non-trivial - this is a commendable quality! Yes
    1. 0
      29 November 2020 13: 35
      Well, yes, the idea is fresh and original! laughing

      https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5cba04c66c165100b0a51464/sp2-meniaet-marshrut-severnyi-potok-2-mojet-prosto-povernut-na-iug-na-kaliningrad-kak-vam-takie-perspektivy-5f908520c2b29d229444f3cb
    2. -5
      30 November 2020 08: 17
      Our local sofa experts are all here. They understand everything better than anyone ... recourse
      At the same time, in the end, for some reason, in my forecasts, I am the right one, and not they. Okay, time will tell.
      1. -2
        30 November 2020 10: 08
        Quote: Marzhetsky
        Our local sofa experts are all here. They understand everything better than anyone ... recourse
        At the same time, in the end, for some reason, in my forecasts, I am the right one, and not they. Okay, time will tell.

        hi So it will be, Sergei, time will tell! wink
        There is no need to despair! The best knows and understands only the Universal Reason! Yes
      2. +3
        30 November 2020 14: 30
        Our local sofa experts are all here. They all understand better than anyone ... recourse
        At the same time, in the end, for some reason, in my forecasts, I am the right one, and not they.

        So far, your predictions are guided more by emotions than knowledge, Sergey. What does “divinity” have to do with it?

        Tell me, did you know that the gas that will go to Germany via SP2 differs from the previous gas from the depleted Dutch fields? It is an "H" gas, with a higher methane content, versus an "L" gas. And what else in 2015, the German government adopted a state program to rebuild and re-equip the infrastructure for the operation of 9 (!) Million heating gas units? And this is just the private sector! And the implementation of this program began in 2019, and will end already in 2030!
        In two years, more than 1 million of these devices were rechecked and, if necessary, re-equipped. There are still 8 (!) Left. And the Germans will complete the program. They simply have no other option now.

        Do you even understand the economic scale of the government's decision? And this is only about the private sector! And then there is the industrial one. And he is also in this project.

        And do you really think that the Germans will now start rushing about, abandoning the old ones, and adopting new long-term and multi-billion dollar programs?
  2. +3
    29 November 2020 14: 22
    Besides the fact that the idea, to put it mildly, is not new, it is also flawed by definition.
    The author seems to have little idea of ​​what an effective natural gas liquefaction complex should look like.
    Almost one methane gets into LNG. And the rest of the fractions must be somehow separated and further processed. The first stage is separation. Then build factories for processing high molecular weight fractions into varnishes / paints / plastics / rubber, etc.
    These are huge complexes, it takes many years to build them, spending a LOT of money.
    In the Kaliningrad region, there is no place to build these complexes. She is small.
    There is no extra money either. Exactly EXTRA.
    Not far away, in Ust Luga, just such a complex is under construction at full speed. There is a place for it. The money is allocated.

    https://www.gazprom.ru/projects/lng-leningrad/ :

    The enterprise will become the most powerful in terms of gas processing in Russia and the largest in terms of production of liquefied natural gas in the region of North-Western Europe. The complex will annually process 45 billion cubic meters. m of gas, to produce 13 million tons of LNG, up to 3,8 million tons of ethane fraction, up to 2,4 million tons of LPG and 0,2 million tons of pentane-hexane fraction. The natural gas remaining after processing (about 19 billion cubic meters) will be sent to the gas transmission system of Gazprom.
    Combining in the format of a single site for the production of LNG and ethane significantly improves the economy and specific indicators of the project, and significantly reduces resource and price risks.
    Ethane produced by the plant is planned to be supplied to a promising gas-chemical complex (project of JSC RusGazDobycha), which will produce over 3 million tons of polymers per year.

    This is your beloved Fedun from Lukoil is talking nonsense about the unnecessary processing of hydrocarbons into plastic. Clearly leaving the field for Western companies. Interestingly, you have not heard similar nonsense from the West? I strongly doubt that there are reasonable people.
    So Gazprom is creating a complete gas processing in the east and west of the Russian Federation.
    This is not to mention LNG in Yamal. Yamal LNG is located a little further, but its liquefaction cost is lower than in Ust Luga (not to mention the Gulf Coast).
    The construction memorandum in Ust Luga was signed in 2017. The launch of the first stage is planned for Q3. 2024
    7 years old, Karl! And the "turn of SP2" is still at the level of delusional ideas.
    And you, in all seriousness, are proposing to put in unmeasured billions in construction, in order to create a competitor to the already existing and under construction enterprises, who knows when?
    I know you like to imagine Gazprom as a bunch of idiots, but not to the same extent that you step on yourself ... and then shout: "Ay, it hurts!"
    With each new post, you amaze me more and more. Literally today, in your reply to me, you practically stated that competence is equal to inadequacy for you. From this post of yours it is clear that for you incompetence is adequacy and the highest form of valor.
    I am delighted!
    1. -4
      30 November 2020 08: 16
      Quote: boriz
      With each new post, you amaze me more and more. Literally today, in your reply to me, you practically stated that competence is equal to inadequacy for you. From this post of yours it is clear that for you incompetence is adequacy and the highest form of valor.
      I am delighted!

      Rest, monsieur.
    2. -4
      30 November 2020 08: 50
      Quote: boriz
      Then build factories for processing high molecular weight fractions into varnishes / paints / plastics / rubber, etc.
      These are huge complexes, it takes many years to build them, spending a LOT of money.
      In the Kaliningrad region, there is no place to build these complexes. She is small.
      There is no extra money either. Exactly EXTRA.

      If you're not in the know, this is called "industrialization" and job creation in the exclave. Do not worry about the "extra" money, in our country they will immediately be found if you search well.
      As for the "bunch of idiots", only people of the corresponding mental abilities could have funneled billions into the construction of two gas pipelines through the territories controlled by American puppets. The result is obvious. It's time to fix the losses.
  3. -1
    29 November 2020 15: 54
    In general, Gazprom cut down the dough from the state for a stillborn project.

    Now it gets out, and knocks at everyone around.

    And Smee are happy to suck out the peremog and kapets along the way
    1. 0
      29 November 2020 20: 09
      We actually write "in general". If it's not a secret, from what country are we working?
      1. -2
        29 November 2020 22: 17
        In general, it seems that the mobile spy mania is flourishing ...
        Probably you are working, since you are asking ...
        And I'm having fun, from the Moscow Ring Road ...
        1. 0
          1 December 2020 19: 06
          We are actually writing because of the Moscow Ring Road ...)))
          1. -2
            1 December 2020 22: 27
            Write who is in the way.
  4. -1
    29 November 2020 21: 42
    I haven't read such infantile nonsense for a long time.

    The Americans are already openly blackmailing the Europeans with sanctions, trying to stupidly prohibit them from buying gas from Russia, imposing their LNG on Europe and pointing out as an argument the inadmissibility of financial support, allegedly hostile, to the alliance (NATO), Russia.

    The United States, with the same exact result, will later sanction the purchase of LNG from Russia.

    The author also suggests investing in this, another "swamp"?

    Now you can no longer rush anywhere.
    SP2 must be completed by joint efforts with the Europeans to the end, and gas must be passed through it. Neither Russia nor the Europeans have any other way out.
    1. -2
      30 November 2020 08: 26
      Do you consider LNG production a "swamp"? LNG that can be transported, for example, not to Europe through transit pipes, but to Asia? And after that you call my thinking childish nonsense? request
      The SP-2 will never work normally, even if it is completed, it will simply not be given. This is a stillborn project, for a long time to understand it. The very idea of ​​bypassing Ukraine through the territory of American puppets was infantile nonsense from the beginning, to which billions of budget funds were thrown.
      1. -2
        30 November 2020 08: 59
        Do you consider LNG production a "swamp"? LNG that can be transported, for example, not to Europe through transit pipes, but to Asia? And after that you call my thinking childish nonsense?

        And for this you need to build a gas liquefaction plant in Kaliningrad ???
        Yes. I think this is nonsense.

        The SP-2 will never work normally, even if it is completed, it will simply not be given.

        SP2 will be completed and will work normally, just like SP (1).

        The very idea of ​​bypassing Ukraine through the territory of American puppets was infantile nonsense

        Is it okay that Europeans also took part in the project? Have you ever thought that they also took into account some of their interests?
        1. -3
          30 November 2020 09: 04
          Quote: Dear sofa expert.
          Is it okay that Europeans also took part in the project? Have you ever thought that they also took into account some of their interests?

          They have interests, but after US intervention, they dramatically changed the format of their participation. SP-2, if they are allowed to build, it will work at 50% capacity and it is not a fact that it will be at all.
      2. -2
        30 November 2020 09: 09
        The Americans are already openly blackmailing the Europeans with sanctions, trying to stupidly prohibit them from buying gas from Russia, imposing their LNG on Europe and pointing out as an argument the inadmissibility of financial support, allegedly hostile, to the alliance (NATO), Russia.
        The United States, with the same exact result, will later sanction the purchase of LNG from Russia.
        The author also suggests investing in this, another "swamp"?

        Let's be consistent. You say that SP-2 will be built and will operate. But at the same time you are afraid of the US sanctions, which will prohibit the Europeans from buying Russian gas? So is it worth building it further and spending budget funds on it? How does it fit in your head?

        As for the sanctions on the purchase of Russian LNG, you are changing the definition. The United States calls the SP-2 a threat to the national security of Europe only because it is allegedly cheaper than LNG and is an instrument of pressure from the Kremlin. If, instead of pipeline gas, Russian LNG goes to European hubs at market prices, what is the problem? The EU will no longer allow such discrimination.
        1. 0
          30 November 2020 09: 38
          They have interests, but after US intervention, they dramatically changed the format of their participation. SP-2, if they are allowed to build, it will work at 50% capacity and it is not a fact that it will be at all.

          If we talk about "they", then the government of the same Germany, how can it resist American policy.
          Only specific firms - participants who are directly affected by these sanctions - “drastically changed the format of participation”. They can be understood.
          Again, not all. The same Wintershall (BASF) is still firmly on defending its interests. Believe me, the Germans do not like to lose money. They are smart enough for this.

          You say that SP-2 will be built and will operate. But at the same time you are afraid of the US sanctions, which will prohibit the Europeans from buying Russian gas? So is it worth building it further and spending budget funds on it?

          Precisely because the Americans need only (any) reason for sanctions, both Russia and the Europeans must firmly stand in their position, in this case on SP2.

          I think the new president will try to restore relations between the United States and Europeans, in particular the Germans, damaged by Trump. SP2 will be completed. This project is vital to Europeans.

          The EU will no longer allow such discrimination.

          He won't let her this time either.
  5. +1
    6 December 2020 20: 32
    And having built an LNG plant in Kaliningrad and liquefied gas from there to be supplied by tankers to Europe (selling it at market prices to European consumers) would be much more efficient.
    1. -1
      8 December 2020 08: 48
      Exactly. The logistic shoulder is very short, it is more profitable than hauling from the USA and Qatar.
  6. 0
    9 December 2020 04: 09
    Europe is not interested in Ukraine being left without gas transit, it will be a lesson that Europe will not go against America for the sake of Russian gas.