Russia mulls new oil pipeline project to bypass Belarus, Poland

The industry ministry has proposed building a second leg of an oil pipeline to Europe bypassing Belarus and Poland to reduce Russia’s dependence on transit countries, the ministry’s press service said Thursday.

Energy pricing row with Belarus at the beginning of 2007 has led to the suspension in Russian energy supplies to Europe and undermined Russia’s reputation as a reliable oil and gas exporter.

“A draft project on the construction of the second leg of the Baltic Pipeline System has been introduced to the government,” the Ministry of Industry and Energy said in a statement.

RIAN