Russian energy giant will make a final investment decision on the South Stream gas pipeline project intended to carry natural gas to Europe, bypassing transit countries like Ukraine, in November this year, Gazprom said on Wednesday.
“Special attention was paid to fulfilling all necessary conditions for the accelerated start of the gas pipeline construction already in December this year in line with the instruction given by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The meeting noted that a final investment decision of the South Stream would be taken in November this year,” the statement said.
The South Stream pipeline is to transport up to 63 billion cubic meters of gas to central and southern Europe, diversifying Russian gas routes away from transit countries such as Ukraine. Construction will start in December 2012, and not 2013 as previously planned.
"Europe needs new routes for Russian gas supplies without transit mediators," Miller said.
By the end of the meeting Alexei Miller received CEO of Ukraine's Naftogaz Evgen Bakulin.
