Will Nord Stream Have a Third Line?

Russia may build a third link in the Nord Stream gas pipeline intended to bring Russian natural gas through the Baltic Sea to Germany.

"Moreover, there will be a second link of the Nord Stream pipeline, South Stream is next on the agenda and there maybe one more link of the Nord Stream pipeline," said Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The Nord Stream project consists of two twin 1,224 kilometre natural gas pipelines which will deliver Russian gas to Europe, bypassing Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other traditional transit energy states.

When both lines are fully operational by the end of 2012, Nord Stream will be capable of transporting 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year to Europe.

Russia has stated that it wishes to take advantage for what is sees will be the growing European market for natural gas in light of Germany's decision to close its nuclear energy energy generating facilities by 2022.

Observers have viewed this perceived opportunity as a motivating factor to last week’s announcement by Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom that it has entered Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership in power generation in Europe with German utility RWE AG