Work starts on Nord Stream feeder line

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MOSCOW, April 23 (UPI) -- Work to extend a pipeline from western Russia to move natural gas to the Nord Stream system through the Baltic Sea is nearly completed, said Russia's Gazprom.

Construction of an extension to the Gryazovets-Vyborg natural gas pipeline to make gas available Nord Stream is "in full swing," the Russian natural gas company said.

Commercial natural gas deliveries through the 435-mile system are to begin in October.

"The Gryazovets-Vyborg gas pipeline is needed to help (implement) Nord Stream, a major project of Gazprom as well as to secure the supply of additional gas volumes to consumers in northwestern Russia," Vitaly Markelov, deputy chairman of the Gazprom management committee, said in a statement from St. Petersburg.

Nord Stream is part of a network of pipelines planned to diversify Russian natural gas exports to European consumers. The first leg of the pipeline system went into service last year. The three sections that make up the second offshore leg are set for pressure testing and connection this summer.