6 Dec 2011 18:17

Nord Stream pipeline stopped for maintenance

MOSCOW. Dec 6 (Interfax) - The Nord Stream pipeline stopped pumping gas to Europe entirely on Tuesday afternoon, a source with knowledge of the situation told Interfax.

A spokesman for operating company Nord Stream AG told Interfax that this was a "short-term stoppage for maintenance needed during the ramp-up to design capacity."

"All orders will be fulfilled on time," he said.

The pipeline was inaugurated on November 8.

The 1,224-km pipeline's first stage will carry up to 27.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year. It has so far reached 20% of capacity.