Russian gas provider Gazprom has announced the commencement of pre-construction activities at the South Stream offshore section – an ambitious gas pipeline travelling through most of Europe.
An agreement to supply pipes for the first stage of the pipeline was signed on January 29, 2014. By early February, a contract was concluded for the independent certification of the offshore section, to DNV-OS-F101 notation.
This standard, from classification society DNV, specifies the requirements for design, construction and operation of offshore gas pipelines with proper consideration of security and environmental protection requirements.
Gazprom said it next plans to conduct a bidding procedure for deepwater pipelaying tenders, as well as to sign a pipe supply contract for the second offshore phase of the gas pipeline.
The company will aim to complete these next stages before the end of the first quarter of 2014. Construction of South Stream's offshore section will start in late-2014.
