Russia to re-consider Belarus' offer to build 2nd Yamal-Europe gas pipe

 The Russian government will re-consider the Belarusian government's proposal to build the second natural gas pipeline along the route of the existing Yamal-Europe pipeline, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said at a news conference Friday during his visit to Belarus.

Following the acquisition of a 50% stake in Belarusian gas pipeline operator Beltransgaz by Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom, it will be reasonable to re-consider the construction of the second pipeline, Zubkov said.

He noted, however, that the final decision on the construction of the second Yamal-Europe pipe will depend on estimated availability of natural gas for exports.

The pipeline construction costs are estimated at between U.S. $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky said.
He noted that building a pipeline through Belarus is the cheapest option available for Russia if expanding its gas exports to Europe.

Russia and Belarus have agreed that Belarus will submit its proposal on the construction again, Sidorsky said.

Earlier this year Gazprom said that there was no need for the second Yamal-Europe pipeline.

The existing Yamal-Europe pipeline runs across the territories of Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany.
The throughput capacity of the pipeline is 32.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.