Threat of UXO Causes A Major Change in Underwater Pipeline Project

Stockholm, Sweden: Nord Stream AG (a Swiss-Registered Company) announced a change in the planned route for their 750-mile underwater natural gas pipeline designed to connect Russia with Germany. The company announced that the reason for the change was due in part to the explosives safety hazard caused by underwater munitions within the original planned pipeline path. Underwater munitions are suspected of being in the area from WWII era activities. These activities included the sea disposal of tens of thousands of pounds of munitions and related materials.

The change in the route also alleviates some of the pressures and concerns over an on-going dispute between Denmark and Poland over International water boundaries. The new route will bring the pipeline north of the Danish island of Bornholm. The original plan called for running it through an area south of Bornholm.

An environmental impact study on the project is due out later this year with construction expected to begin in 2010. UXO, politics, and the environment will surely play a role in the project as the plans move forward.