Russian gas monopoly OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) could delay the launch of the South Stream gas pipeline to Europe by two years, the Vedomosti business daily reports Friday, citing an internal strategy document.
Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller said in January that the 900-kilometer pipeline would come online in 2013.
But Vedomosti says the document pencils in 2015 for startup, although an exact date will only be determined following certain technical assessments in the third quarter of 2009 and may also depend on other market conditions.
South Stream will transport gas across the Black Sea from Russia to Bulgaria before splitting into two arms, one going to Austria and the other to southern Italy via Greece.