A planned pipeline linking Norwegian natural gas fields to markets in Denmark and Poland is on track for completion by October 2022, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said on Wednesday.

The Eastern European country sees the Baltic Pipe as a way to diversify its gas supply, most of which is currently imported from Russia under a long-term contract with Gazprom that expires in 2022.

“It is going well. We try to finish that investment by October 2022. For the moment it is in accordance with the schedule,” Czaputowicz told a news conference after meeting Norwegian counterpart Ine Eriksen Soereide in Oslo.

The Polish minister told Reuters the construction of the Baltic Pipe could only increase the interest of Polish energy firms such as state-run PGNiG and refiner Lotos in investments in Norway.

“Definitely if the Baltic Pipe is constructed, it will be another argument for investing in the fields here in Norway... Knowing the philosophy of the company (PGNiG), they are very interested,” he said.

PGNiG, which agreed in October to buy Equinor’s 42.38 percent stake in the Tommeliten Alpha gas and condensate field in Norway, has said it plans to increase its gas output in the country via acquisitions.

Source: Reuters
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