Work resumes on Russian gas pipeline in Danish waters

Work resumes on Russian gas pipeline in Danish waters

Pipe-laying work has resumed on Russia's massive Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the project's consortium said Saturday, following preparatory work in Danish waters.

Nord Stream 2 is a 10-billion-euro ($11-billion) pipeline that will run beneath the Baltic Sea and is set to double Russian natural-gas shipments to Germany, Europe's largest economy.

The United States and several European countries have criticised the project, saying it will increase German and EU dependence on Russia for critical gas supplies.

The Russian pipe-laying vessel Fortuna "has successfully completed sea tests and, today, started laying pipes in the waters of Denmark", the company said in a short statement.

"All works are performed in line with the relevant permits," it added

Work on the massive project had resumed in German waters in December after being suspended for nearly a year because of the threat of US sanctions.

Danish authorities then authorised Nord Stream to carry out works in its waters from January 15.

The project has long been in the crosshairs of the United States, particularly by the former Trump administration which promoted US gas and openly criticised European countries for their reliance on energy from Russia.

Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states are also