MOSCOW, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Russian energy giant Gazprom said it began work on a technically difficult 45-mile stretch of a natural gas pipeline in the far northern Kara Sea.
"Gazprom has launched the construction of the most difficult section along the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta gas trunkline system -- a submerged crossing via the Baidarata Bay," the company said in a statement on its Web site.
The 684-mile Bovanenkovo-Ukhta gas pipeline will link gas fields in the Yamal Peninsula of northwestern Siberia with major transportation routes in Russia.
The submerged portion of the pipeline will be constructed in about 200 feet of water.
The pipeline will boost natural gas production from the Yamal Peninsula to nearly 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas per year, Barents Observer said.
