Gazprom, Slovenia discuss gas pipeline

Russian natural gas company Gazprom said it signed an agreement with Slovenian authorities that defines the layout for the South Stream natural gas pipeline. The Slovenian government met with a Gazprom delegation in Ljubljana. Gazprom said special attention was given to the South Stream natural gas pipeline planned through southern Europe. Alexei Miller, Gazprom\'s chief executive, and Marjan Eberlinc, president of Slovenian natural gas company Plinovodi signed a supplementary agreement to Slovenia\'s shareholder agreement for South Stream. \"The document defines the layout and parameters of the gas pipeline\'s Slovenian section that were defined on the basis of the consolidated feasibility study of the project,\" said Gazprom in a statement. The agreement also calls for the establishment of a joint project company within one month. The company \"will be focused on spatial planning, environmental impact assessment and basic engineering works,\" said Gazprom. Construction on South Stream begins in December, Gazprom said. The pipeline is meant to add diversity to a Russian gas transit system for Europe that is focused in Ukraine. Slovenia and Gazprom said they\'d announce their final decision on the South Stream pipeline by November.