Pipeliners

27.04.2007 - The St. Petersburg Times - WARSAW — The Polish government said a planned gas pipeline linking Russia with Germany under the Baltic Sea would pass through disputed waters, potentially threatening to delay the 5 billion euro ($6.83 billion) project. The link would pass through an area of sea claimed by Poland and Denmark and come under the jurisdiction of both countries, Polish Economy Minister Piotr Wozniak said at a news conference in Warsaw on Wednesday. Sweden already demanded Gazprom change the route of the pipeline where it passes through the country’s offshore economic zone. “Investments in the exclusive economic zone are governed by the same national laws as any on land,” Wozniak said. “There will be no special rights for the Nord Stream gas pipeline.” Gazprom wants to build the link to avoid pricing disputes with transit countries such as Belarus and Ukraine, which disrupted supply. Poland, which would also lose transit fees, says the line threatens its energy security.