<article><p class="lead">Russian state-controlled Gazprom filled one of the two strings that make up its 55bn m³/yr Nord Stream 2 pipeline with operational gas, but the project has yet to complete commissioning.</p><p>The string holds around 177mn m³ of technical gas at 103 bar of pressure, while pre-commissioning continues on the second string, the Gazprom subsidiary developing the line said today.</p><p>This pressure is high enough to flow gas to Germany once the line starts up, the firm said.</p><p>Nord Stream 2, which connects western Russia and northern Germany across the Baltic Sea, is fully constructed, and <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2261562">filling of the first string</a> began in early October after pre-commissioning activities on that line were completed.</p><p>In addition to physical progress on the line, most regulatory processes have already been completed, including the submission of all necessary documents to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Stralsund mining authority — the authority responsible for carrying out the pipeline's German permitting procedure. The authority told <i>Argus</i> that from its point of view, nothing stands in the way Nord Stream 2's start-up. Denmark's energy agency has <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2260248">approved the start-up of the filled line</a>.</p><p>But the developer has yet to obtain certification as its operator. Regulator Bnetza's final decision on certification <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2257237">could take until July next year</a>, although a draft decision is due by early January.</p><p>Further approvals are not needed for the line's future operator to start operations, Bnetza said. But if the pipeline is operated by a party that is not properly certified, it would be subject to potential fines, the regulator said.</p><p class="bylines">By Jeff Kuntz</p></article>