OREANDA-NEWS. Gazprom will build Nord Stream 2 bypassing Denmark in case of refusal to coordinate the pipeline route. This was stated by Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gazprom Viktor Zubkov at Russian Energy Week.

“We practically approached the territorial waters of the economic zone of Denmark. The gas pipeline was built at 83%, there is not much left. In Denmark, we should understand that Denmark has no objective reasons for not agreeing on the passage. Especially the other day, they agreed on the passage of the gas pipeline in the same place, which comes from Norway to Poland. The fact is that if they don’t agree, then we will bypass this economic zone of Denmark. It will be longer, it will be more expensive, but it’s gas for European countries and it’s strange that such a situation occurs", said Zubkov.

The gas pipeline construction project is 83% complete. Nord Stream 2 has begun laying the gas pipe end. The project involves the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters. m of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. Construction costs are estimated at € 9.5 billion.

Gazprom’s European partners in the project are German Uniper and Wintershall, Austrian OMV, French Engie and Anglo-Dutch Shell. Gazprom partners will finance 50% of the project. The pipeline will bypass the transit states - Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other East European and Baltic countries - through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Only Denmark has not given consent to the construction.

Against this background, Russia doesn't get tired of reminding that the gas pipeline under construction is an exclusively economic project, and calls for not politicizing it.