MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Russian gas giant Gazprom announced the creation of a project management department to oversee developments of the South Stream gas pipeline.
"The large-scale South Stream project, being of special importance for increasing the reliability of gas supply to Europe and engaging a big number of foreign partners, requires consolidation of Gazprom's efforts for prompt execution of the most prioritized project of the company," said Gazprom chief Alexei Miller.
The department would monitor construction of the pipeline through the Balkans to southern Europe and monitor upgrades to existing gas transmission facilities and the development of new ones for countries hosting the pipeline.
Leonid Chugunov, a former general director at Gazprom, heads the South Stream management department.
South Stream is part of a Russian effort, along with Nord Stream, to diversify gas transit options for Europe.
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom signed a series of South Stream initiatives with the Bulgarian, Greek and Serbian governments in May and has similar arrangements under way with Austria. A Slovenian deal was signed in November. Turkey will host a major section of the pipeline in the Black Sea.
Gazprom expects South Stream completion by 2015.
