Finland extends pipeline group's permit to investigate sea bed
Helsinki - A consortium that plans to build an underwater Baltic Sea gas pipeline from Russia to Germany was Tuesday granted extended permission to investigate the sea bed in the Finnish economic zone.
The current permit was due to have expired on Wednesday, but the Finnish government extended it until end of June 2010 after an application from Nord Stream AG.
The 1,200-kilometre long pipeline is planned to run from Vyborg in Russia to Greifswald, Germany. The consortium has ruled out a land- based route.
Under the terms, Finland was to be allowed to inspect the vessels used by Nord Stream and get immediate access to the findings, Finnish news agency STT said.
Concerns have been raised that the project may disturb chemical weapons or other munitions dumped in the sea after World War II.
Partners in the consortium include Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, German energy company E. ON, BASF and Dutch company Gasunie. (dpa)
