US denies support to Nord Stream 2 pipeline; may impose sanctions

The United States maintains the option of imposing sanctions over the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would bring Russian gas direct to Germany under the Baltic Sea, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said on Thursday.

Asked what the chances are that the United States will sanction companies working on the project, he said: "I saw no signals where we would ever get to the point where we can support Nord Stream 2 and that the sanctions were an option that the president maintained."

Russia's Gazprom is the sole shareholder in Nord Stream 2, shouldering 50 per cent of the 9.5 billion euro bill. Gazprom's Western partners are OMV along with Uniper, Wintershall, Shell and Engie.