Construction of Nord Stream 2 will start this summer, with or without Denmark’s approval

Construction of Nord Stream 2 will start this summer, with or without Denmark’s approval, Paul Corcoran, the gas pipeline company’s chief financial officer, tells reporters at the World Gas Conference in Washington. He says: “We plan to start in the summer. We started preparatory work at the coast and at the bottom. Pipeline booms will mobilized, so they can start pipe laying in coming weeks.” With German and Finnish approvals in place, Corcoran says he can adjust the route if Danish approval does not come for the 10% in Danish waters. With pipe layers capable of progressing at 3-3.5 km a day, the line could be completed by end of next year. Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen says his country has the laws to ban construction, but the decision should be made at the European level.