16/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to the Vice-President of Gazprom -, Alexander Medvedev, French energy group GDF Suez is about to purchase, from partners of the Russian gas giant, a 9% share in the NordStream gas pipeline project, which will run under the Baltic Sea, linking Russian and Germany. Just as with EDF's joining the SouthStream consortium (see related article), GDF Suez's involvement in the NordStream consortium, which is headed up by former German Chancellor Gerhardt Schröder, will take place in exchange for the signing of long-term supply contracts between the French group and Gazprom. The NordStream consortium is currently led by the Russian gas giant, which holds 51% of the shares, while German energy groups E.ON and BASF have only 20% each and Dutch group Gasunie has 9% (see EUROPE 9863 and 9946). (E.H./transl.tfl)