Baltic Pipe Project: Deal agreed to build gas pipeline under sea between Denmark and Poland

A major project to transport natural gas from the North Sea to Denmark and Poland has taken a significant step forward.Italian firm Saipem signed a deal worth €280 million to build a gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea to connect the two countries.Poland imports most of its natural gas from Russia and the new pipeline has been hailed in Warsaw as a way of reducing dependence on Moscow.The EU has provided €215 million in funding for the Baltic Pipe Project, which will also allow Poland to supply gas to the Danish market.Poland's president, Andrzej Duda, has said the pipeline is scheduled to be launched on October 1, 2022."This is indeed very good news for Poland, and not only in the near future, but I deeply believe for decades," said Duda at a press conference recently.

"If we are talking about full diversification of gas supplies to Poland, if we are talking about full independence of Poland as a recipient from Russia, this is the milestone on the road to this non-dependence," he added.

From Norway to Poland, via Denmark

The Baltic Pipe Project will be constructed to link gas fields on the Norwegian shelf in the North Sea to Niechorze-Pogorzelica on the north Polish coast.

The total section underneath the Baltic Sea between Poland and Denmark is around 275 kilometres long, according to Saipem.

The Baltic Pipe Project says the building of the pipeline will contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving air quality in Poland.

Saipem is expected to commence work in Poland and Denmark in the second half of this year. The laying of offshore pipes is later planned for the summer of 2021.

The new agreement was announced, despite a crash in the price of oil and gas in recent weeks during the coronavirus pandemic.