US Senate committee approves Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill
02.08.2019
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Senate has supported a bill imposing sanctions against companies involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
This was reported by Reuters on July 31, 2019.
In the United States, many bills have recently been initiated aimed at counteracting the Nord Stream-2 IHL.
On July 31, 2019, the Foreign Affairs Committee considered the European Energy Security Protection Bill 2019, as amended (S. 1441).
The committee website indicates that this issue is valid was on the agenda, but the official decision has yet to be published.
Reuters reports that that the bill was supported by 20 committee members and 2 opposed.
Bill S. 1441 was drafted in May 2019 by Republican Senator Texas T. Cruz and Democratic Senator from pc. New Hampshire D. Shahin.
The document provides for restrictions against persons and companies that sell or lease pipe-laying vessels for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as well as provide financial and technical support or provide insurance for such vessels.
Sanctions will be imposed if a vessel lays pipes at a depth of 100 feet (30.48 m) below sea level.
This condition is critical for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, since the pipes are laid on average at a depth of 50 m, and the maximum depth exceeds 200 m.
The flagship of the Russian pipe-laying fleet, the pipe-laying barge (TUB) Fortuna, can lay pipes to a depth of up to 200 m, i.e. its capabilities will not be enough for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
In addition, one, even the most powerful vessel, will not be enough to complete the construction of the gas pipeline on time.
