E.ON Ruhrgas expects Nordstream will launch operations in 2011

German generating company E.ON Ruhrgas expects Nordstream, which is to pump Russian gas to Germany, will launch operations in 2011, notwithstanding discontent on the part of some politicians from the Baltic states and delay in granting environmental permits to perform works. "We have a clear-cut plan, slightly ambitious, but realistic" - said head of the German company Bernhard Reutersberg. In addition, E.ON Ruhrgas, which targets raising gas output to 10 bcm, will do its best to obtain a license to tap Norwegian fields, he said. Last year output amounted to a mere 1.3 bcm. "Yes, we will do our best to obtain licenses. We prefer to remain in the North Sea region" – he went on to say and added that the company will bid depending on the fields available. At present E.ON Ruhrgas receives half of its gas from Norway and Russia. "These 10 bcm of scheduled output are located not only in Norway, but also other regions of the North Sea and in North Africa" – Mr. Reutersberg noted.