EU plans rule change to snag Russian gas pipeline
The European Commission is proposing to extend EU internal energy market rules to cover offshore gas pipelines, an EU document shows, its latest attempt to regulate Russia’s planned Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany.
Under the proposed changes to the gas directive, seen by Reuters, all import pipelines would have to comply with EU rules requiring pipelines not be owned directly by gas suppliers, non-discriminatory tariffs, transparent operations and at least 10% of capacity be made available to third parties.
“The gas directive in its entirety … will become applicable to pipelines to and from third countries, including existing and future pipelines, up to the border of EU jurisdiction,” the proposals says.
The proposal will go to a vote on Wednesday at a meeting of EU commissioners. If passed, it will go to member states and to European Parliament for approval.
EU regulators say they want the rules in place by the end of 2018—early enough to apply to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline due to be completed by the end of the following year.
