Nord Stream AG will begin construction of the gas pipeline first phase in the Portovaya (Port) Bay (Leningrad region) on April 9, Interfax reports citing the company statement.

Earlier reports said the first phase pipeline is scheduled to be completed in 2011. The second phase construction will to start the same year to be commissioned in 2012.

The 1.233-km Nord Stream bottom pipeline will run across Baltic Sea off the coast of Russia, near Vyborg to the coast of Germany near Greifswald. The overall projected capacity of the pipeline is reported at 55 billion cubic meters a year (two lines of 27.5 b c. m. capacity).

Gazprom OJSC holds a 51% stake in Nord Stream project, BASF / Wintershall and E. ON Ruhrgas each have currently an equal 20% stake, the share of NV Nederlandse Gasunie is 9%. GDF Suez is expected to join the project until the end of March with a 9% share.