Talks to reopen over the possible Norwegian gas pipeline, no gas till 2010 though

It is also possible that PGNiG and Statoil officials will discuss lengthening the so-called 'small Norwegian contract,' which is due to expire on October 1, 2006. However, although the Polish side, supported by the government, is eager to talk about the new pipeline, Norwegian officials are said not to be enthusiastic about the prospect of building a pipeline connecting the two countries. In their opinion, Statoil does not currently possess enough gas supply to cover Polish demands. On the other side, the Norwegians are leaving a small light in the tunnel by saying they will own additional gas amounts for distribution among foreign customers shortly. The question is, if Poland is considered to be one of these foreign customers. According to Piotr Naimski, the deputy Economy Minister, Poland will be buying 5 billion cubic meters of gas from Norway and Denmark by 20(Puls Biznesu, pp.8,9) K.J.