Contracts worth around EUR 2-billion for construction of the first of the four offshore lines of the trans-Baltic South Stream gas pipeline have now been signed by South Stream Transport and Saipem, inform Gazprom. Saipem is to build the first offshore line of the South Stream gas pipeline as well as erect process facilities in the shore crossing areas, and construct the landfalls. Pipes will be welded together on board a special pipe-laying vessel and then laid in position on the seabed at a depth of up to 2,200 meters.