Gasunie, Gazprom review Nord Stream goals

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, May 31 (UPI) -- Russian natural gas company Gazprom said it signed an agreement with its Dutch counterpart for pipeline infrastructure and small-scale LNG deliveries.

Gazprom Chairman Alexei Miller signed a memorandum of understanding with Paul Van Gelder, president of Dutch energy company Gasunie, on the sidelines of a European business conference in Slovenia.

The agreement calls for closer cooperation in the development of possible expansions to the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea and potential small-scale shipments of liquefied natural gas.

The twin Nord Stream lines are each designed to transport about 1.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The first leg of the pipeline system went into service in 2011. Neither company indicated how much LNG was envisioned.

Miller and Van Gelder signed an agreement in April to explore the potential to expand the Nord Stream pipeline to British shores. Miller said the latest agreement opens "new horizons" for the Gasunie partnership.

"Gas infrastructure is an indispensable element of the secure gas supply," Van Gelder said in a statement. "Our joined efforts to cooperate on the development and use of gas networks will enhance efficient and stable delivery of gas to European consumers."

Gazprom last year supplied the Netherlands with 81 billion cubic feet of natural gas.