South Stream operator has been granted permission for construction in Russia

The Ministry of Construction, Housing Services and Utilities has granted to South Stream Transport B. V. the permission for the construction of the offshore pipeline South Stream enabling the participants to start the work at the landfall division. The permission for construction was granted after the Commission for State Expertise made gave the positive verdict on the design documentation for the Russian division of the offshore pipeline South Stream in March, including the final report about the evaluation of the impact into the environment. In accordance with the Russian law, the permission for the laying of the underwater cables and pipelines at the continental shelf, the inner offshore water areas and the territorial sea of Russia should be granted later by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology.