Testing proves Nord Stream's worth

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MOSCOW, June 21 (UPI) -- Testing for the second string of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea to Germany is set for next year, a Gazprom official said.

Russian natural gas company Gazprom tested the first leg of the dual Nord Stream pipeline system early this year. Gazprom said it met the basic testing criteria for industrial standards.

"Between May 15 and June 14 Nord Stream's first string conveyed more than 38.8 billion cubic meters of gas, at the same time the first string was fully loaded (2.8 million cubic feet of gas per day, corresponding to the annual design capacity of 970 billion cubic feet) between May 22 and May 24," the company stated.

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.

Gazprom Chief Executive Officer Alexei Miller said the tests prove that Russia natural gas deliveries to Europe are reliable.

"Similar testing of Nord Stream's second string is scheduled for the next summer," he said in a statement.

Both lines, once fully operational, will transport about 1.9 trillion cubic feet of Russian gas each year to European consumers for at least 50 years.