In 2017, the Nord Stream Pipeline delivered 51 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas to consumers in the European Union. This means the pipeline system operated at 93 per cent of its annual design capacity of 55 bcm. This is the highest utilization since the start of operation of the Nord Stream Pipeline System.
Since the commissioning of Line 1 in November 2011, Nord Stream has reliably and safely fulfilled all transport nominations without interruptions. Line 2 started operating in October 2012. After six years of operation a new milestone was reached in November 2017– the delivery of a total volume of 200 billion cubic metres. Until the end of 2017, the total volume of gas transported to the European Union reached 205.3 bcm.
Overall, the average utilisation rate of the pipeline has constantly increased year after year. In the first years of operation the pipelines’ capacity was gradually ramped up, from 0.66 bcm which were transported in 2011, to 11.5 bcm in 2012 (equalling 33 per cent of the capacity), 23.8 bcm in 2013 (43 per cent), 35.5 bcm in 2014 (65 per cent) 39.1 bcm in 2015 (71 per cent), 43.8 bcm in 2016 (80 per cent), and now 51 bcm (93 per cent).
The twin pipeline system through the Baltic Sea with a length of about 1,200 kilometres stretches from Vyborg, Russia to Lubmin near Greifswald, Germany. As a key part of gas supply infrastructure, it offers the shortest connection between the immense gas reserves in Russia and energy markets in the European Union. Upon arrival in Germany, the gas is further transferred to neighbouring countries via the connecting pipelines NEL and OPAL.
