According to reports in the German newspaper, Handelsblatt, the gas pipeline may start operating without certification. This scenario was played out with German projects NEL and EGL 401. However, in this case, Nord Stream 2 may be fined €1 mln, according to the estimates of the German Federal Network Agency (BNA). The penalty for putting the gas pipeline into operation in Germany was acceptable, given that the cost of the entire Nord Stream 2 project is €10 bln.