Nord Stream 2 took another step towards development when Sweden gave its permission to build a gas pipeline in the economic zone of Sweden in the Baltic Sea. Actual preparatory work is expected to begin in the coming months, including pre-lay rock berms and concrete mattresses for cable crossings. “Our judgement was that we were not able to say no,” Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, Mikael Damberg, told reporters.

In addition, construction permits are soon expected for an underwater pipeline in the territorial sea of the Russian Federation. Permits have already been granted to build an underwater section of the pipe in German territorial waters and in Finland, where work on the underwater section of the pipeline in underway.

Denmark is still a wild card holding out. Strong domestic opposition to Nord Stream 2 has been registered and legislation to block further development will be voted on in October. Russia claims the United States is behind the Danish move. ptj reported about these allegations.

Nord Stream 2 is fully owned by Russia’s gas export monopoly Gazprom. German energy groups Uniper and Wintershall, Anglo-Dutch group Shell, Austria’s OMV and France’s Engie are financing the 1,225 km pipe.