OREANDA-NEWS. The first string of the Nord Stream 2 (SP-2) gas pipeline is filled with gas and is ready for launch, the second can be filled by the end of the year. This was announced on Friday, October 29, by the head of the Austrian OMV, one of the companies investing in the project, Alfred Stern.

“The first line was filled with gas, so it is already ready for launch. The project operator also expects that the second line will also be filled with gas by the end of the year, ”he said during a teleconference.

According to Stern, Nord Stream 2 can diversify routes for the supply of natural gas to Europe, as well as balance supply and demand. In addition, he pointed to Gazprom's fulfillment of its contractual obligations for gas supplies, as in previous years.

On October 26, the head of the German company Wintershall Dea, Mario Mehren, announced that a harsh winter in Europe could lead to further increases in gas prices. According to him, the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will increase gas supplies to Europe and stabilize the market situation.

A day earlier, Amos Hoxtin, senior adviser to the US State Department for energy security, pointed out that Russia is currently the only natural gas supplier in the world market that can help Europe overcome the energy crisis. He stated that the Russian Federation needs to increase the volume of supplies as soon as possible. At the same time, it is necessary to use the already existing gas pipelines, and not the SP-2, which is preparing for the launch, said the State Department adviser.

On October 15, Deputy Head of the European Commission Frans Timmermans said that Russia fully complies with contracts for gas supplies to the EU and is not involved in price manipulation in the market. He also stressed that the licensing of the SP-2 gas pipeline completely depends on the German authorities, who want to ensure the maximum safety of its operation.