New EU Rules on Gas Pipelines Hamper Russia’s Nord Stream 2

New EU Rules on Gas Pipelines Hamper Russia’s Nord Stream 2
The pipelay vessel Pioneering Spirit starts the pipe laying operation for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Gulf of Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 23, 2018. Axel Schmidt/Reuters
Reuters
Updated:

BRUSSELS/COPENHAGEN—The European Union reached a provisional deal on Feb. 13, on new rules governing import gas pipelines including Russia’s planned Nord Stream 2, in a move that cast doubts over the project’s current operating structure.

Adding to uncertainty is Denmark’s potential ban of the pipeline’s planned route through its territorial waters and threats by the United States to sanction it if it goes ahead.