Prime Minister Buzek opens “small contract” pipeline for Norwegian gas

Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek officially turned on the gas pipeline to Poland from the “small” Norwegian contract, which will transport 200 million cubic meters of gas to the border by October 2001, and 500 million cubic meters per year afterward. Sources claim the gas is 30% more expensive than that supplied by the Russians. However there are chances for signing an agreement in 2001 called the “large” Norwegian contract, which would allow transport of 5 billion cubic meters of gas yearly to Poland directly from North Sea gas fields. The contract would strengthen Poland’s position during price negotiations with Russia and would diversify the country’s gas sources. (Rzeczpospolita, Jan. 20-21, p.A1,B2) M.M.