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Clearing a path for Nord Stream
Published: 21 November, 2009, 08:01
Edited: 04 June, 2010, 02:39
A risky underwater operation underway in the Gulf of Finland is aimed at clearing the sea bed of old mines from past wars, in order to free the path for the Nord Stream pipeline, carrying gas from Russia to Europe.
Ok, here is the truth folks. I was a aircrewman that flew on the helicopter mine sweepers. Mine from this vintage are basically inert. With rust and old circuitry/connections, these mines are basically a non-issue for the most part. There is a chance though that one might go off. It is not uncommon to find one of these mines as far west as Canada since they tend to get caught in currents. These mines are not likely as threatening as you would want to think, but still should be taken seriously.
First of all a natural gas pipeline isn't a step to renewable energy but to less emissions as natural gas is still a fossile fuel. Secondly I hope that this pipeline is no reason for the EU to stop discussing about payment issues with russia when the rooms here are warm but Ukrainian people freeze to death. Energy security in this context does only mean that EU countries won't freeze while nothing like this can be said of Ukraine.