The continent is in the grip of an energy crisis caused by rising demand, gas supplies that are lower than normal and a shortage of renewable power.

歐洲大陸正在經歷因為需求上漲、天然氣供給比平常更低，以及再生能源短約所導致的能源危機中。

But there’s hope. The completion of this massive construction project could, in theory, help solve the issue straight away.

然而我們仍有希望。在這個大型工程完成之後，理論上便能直接解決這個問題。

But this is no ordinary energy scheme. It’s not a power plant or hydroelectric dam; instead, it’s something that at first glance seems a little more... well, basic.

然而這可不是普通的能源方案。它不是發電廠或是水力發電大壩；取而代之的，它是個乍看之下更加⋯⋯基本的東西。

It's, um... a pipe.

它是⋯⋯呃，一條管子。

And yet it’s impacting millions of people, creating tensions between some of the world’s most powerful countries...

然而它卻影響了數以萬計的人們，並讓世界上最強的國家之間產生了嫌隙⋯⋯

One of those areas of disagreement, the North Stream 2 pipeline, which we continue to believe is a threat to Europe's energy security.

我們其中無法苟同的領域包括北溪二號管線，我們仍相信這會是對歐洲能源安全性的威脅。

and continuing to make global headlines.

並繼續成為了全球的頭條消息。

Fears that growing in Europe that it could be cold winter.

許多人害怕著歐洲今年的冬季將會格外寒冷。

This is how a simple pipeline became one of Europe’s most controversial construction projects.

以下就是一個簡單的管線，如何成為歐洲最具爭議性的營造計畫的故事。

Now, we know what you’re thinking — why on Earth is The B1M doing a video on a pipe?

我知道你現在正在想什麼：B1M 就為了一條管線做了影片？

Well, there’s actually quite a bit more to it than that.

這個嘛，其實背後還有更多的故事。

Nord Stream 2 is a brand new pipeline that's gonna bring an additional source of natural gas from Russia to mainland Europe via Germany.

北溪二號是條全新的管線，能從俄羅斯運送額外的天然氣資源到歐洲大陸上的德國。

Having another supply of this fuel at a time when it’s becoming ever-more scarce sounds ideal, but there’s a problem.

在天然氣越發珍貴的現今，能夠多一種供給這種燃料的方式聽起來很棒，但其實這裡面還隱藏了一個問題。

It’s all built and fully plumbed in, but they’ve had a bit of trouble turning on its tap, so to speak.

雖然現在管線都蓋好並鋪設完成了，他們卻仍沒辦法開始輸送天然氣。

Before we get into the details, let’s rewind a bit.

在我們講述當中細節之前，先把時間往前倒回去一點吧。

Running parallel to the original Nord Stream line built almost a decade ago,

與將近十年前建造完成的北溪管線平行，

the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 stretches over 1,200 kilometers, and crosses the economic zones of five countries, making it one of the longest offshore pipelines in the world.

北溪二號耗資 110 億美元打造，全長超過 1,200 公里並跨越了五個國家的經濟海域，使它成為了世界上最長的離岸管線。

It’s formed from around 100,000 pieces in total, each weighing 24 tons.

它以總共 10 萬個片段組成，每個片段都重達 24 公噸。

Oh, and there are two of them — it’s a twin line.

噢，還有一點，管線有兩條：這是個雙重管線。

Once operational, it’ll provide 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year — enough for 26 million homes — with the capacity to handle around a third of the EU’s future import needs.

在開始運作之後，它每年能輸送 550 億立方公尺的天然氣，足以供 2600 萬個家庭使用，並且能夠承擔歐洲未來三分之一的進口需求。

Construction started in 2018 and by late 2019 it was almost done.

整個工程在 2018 年時開始，並在 2019 年末時趨近完成。

Using the world’s largest construction ship called Pioneering Spirit, the crew was laying up to three kilometers of piping every day.

利用了世界最大的建造船開拓精神號，工程組員們每天能夠架設最長達三公里的管線。

Sections were welded and tested on board before being added to the main pipe and then lowered down to the seabed.

在接上主管線之前，管線片段會先在船上進行焊接與測試，接著被放到海床上。

It was also built in stages, which meant several connections had to be made at sea. 

而由於整條管線以階段性方式建造，許多部份便需要在海中進行連接。

Now, to avoid water flooding into the pipe, some sections had to be lifted back out and connected on the surface in a process that’s imaginatively called an ‘above water tie-in’.

為了避免海水灌進管線裡，部分區段必須被重新吊起到海面上連接，而這樣的過程被稱為「海面上連接」。

But some of the most impressive work was done back on land, particularly at the German end.

但其中最令人讚嘆的工程部分其實在陸地上，特別是德國端的部分。

Here, two 700-meter micro tunnels were constructed, connecting the receiving station to the pipeline as it nears the shore.

在這裡他們建設了長達 700 公尺的微型隧道，用來在管線接近海岸時連接到接收站上。

This involved digging an entry shaft at the station and dropping a tunnel boring machine inside.

這包括了要在接收站挖出一個入口豎井，並將一台隧道挖掘機放置進去。

That then burrowed towards the water, laying pieces of pipe as it went.

挖掘機接著朝向水邊挖去，並一邊放置管線的片段。

Once under the seabed, the machine was dug out and removed before the land and sea pipe sections were connected.

在抵達海床下方之後，機器便在陸地與海中管線連結之前，被挖掘出來並移開。

Over on the Russian side, Nord Stream 2 only had to go a few kilometers inland to connect to an existing pipeline that brings in gas from the Arctic Yamal fields.

在俄國端，北溪二號僅需要往陸地上繼續鋪設數公里，將它連接到現存且負責輸送來自極區亞馬爾油田的管線即可。

This all means that Nord Stream 2 is considerably shorter overall than the current pipeline that goes from Russia to Germany through Ukraine, and the so-called Central Corridor.

這代表北溪二號比目前從俄羅斯到德國，途經烏克蘭並經過所謂「中央走廊」的管線還要短上非常的多。

It’s the new route though, where all the controversy is.

然而就是這個新路線導致了所有的爭議。

It might be a shortcut, but it also bypasses Ukraine.

這或許確實是個捷徑，但它也繞過了烏克蘭。

That's a country that has been in conflict with Russia since 2014.

這個國家從 2014 年以來就一直和俄國處於戰爭狀態。

Russian troops moved in swiftly to take control military bases in Crimea.

俄軍部隊快速的前進，並佔領了克里米亞上的軍事基地。

But the first shots in Moscow's occupation of Crimea have already been fired.

然而莫斯科佔領克里米亞的第一槍已經打響了。

...what America's officially calling it the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

美國正是將其定調為俄國對烏克蘭的入侵行動。

It's a country that relies a lot on current pipelines for income, and it's a country that's set to lose out under the new scheme if Nord Stream 2 becomes a priority line.

這是個極為仰賴目前的管線來賺取收入的國家，也是北溪二號管線若是成為主要管線後肯定損失慘重的國家。

Since 2016, deliveries via Ukraine have decreased substantially, while gas coming through Nord Stream 1 has increased.

從 2016 開始，通過烏克蘭輸送的天然氣大量減少，而通過北溪一號的天然氣則有所提升。

There's also fears that this could give Russia too much power and even control over the European energy system, as it would see its gas exports to Germany and the wider grid double.

有人也害怕由於這會讓俄羅斯輸出給德國乃至整個天然氣管線網的天然氣數量翻倍，這可能會給與俄羅斯太多的權力，甚至能夠掌控歐洲的能源系統。

Some critics have warned that it could be used as a "geopolitical weapon," a suggestion that Russia has denied.

部分評論家警告這可能被用來當作「地緣政治武器」，而俄羅斯則否定了這個說法。

I believe this is a weapon. I believe that it is wrong not to see that this a dangerous weapon — not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe.

我相信這就是種武器。我認為不把它當作一種危險的武器是錯誤的，不只對烏克蘭而言，對整個歐洲來說都是。

Already, over a third of the continent’s gas comes from Russia, which is financing half of the scheme through state-owned Gazprom, with five European energy firms covering the rest.

光是現在歐洲大陸就有三分之一的天然氣來自俄羅斯，而俄羅斯國營的 Gazprom 公司則為建案出資了一半，剩下的金額則由另外五家歐洲的能源公司負擔。

Concerns about Europe becoming too dependent on Russian gas is what caused that two-year delay between late 2019 and 2021, with the US threatening sanctions.

而對於歐洲是否或過於依賴俄羅斯天然氣的隱憂，也隨著美國威脅要進行制裁，而導致了 2019 至 2021 年之間的工程延期。

Other opponents of Nord Stream 2 have included Poland and other eastern EU countries.

反對興建北溪二號管線的國家還包括了波蘭與其他歐盟東部國家。

However, an agreement was made between the US and Germany in July 2021 that allowed construction to finish,

然而美國與德國已在 2021 年七月達成協議，使工程得以完成，

but in November, the certification process required for the pipeline to open was halted by the German regulator.

然而在十一月時，管線開始運行所需的認證程序則被德國的行政機關暫緩了下來。

Due to this unexpected setback, gas prices went up even further.

由於這個非預期的挫折，天然氣價格於是又漲得更高了。

A new German arm of the operating company now has to be set up before final approvals are given.

在最終的核可通過之前，德國政府要求營運公司必須在德國設立一個支部才行。

All the while, those worries about the scale of Russia’s influence haven’t gone away.

而於此同時，對於俄羅斯影響程度的擔憂仍未消弭。

For whatever might happen next, and despite the understandable opposition,

不論接下來事態會如何發展，而反對的聲音確實也是可以想見的，

Nord Stream 2 is still an impressive feat of engineering that really underlines the impact construction can have on so many people’s lives.

北溪二號仍是個工程學上令人印象深刻的傑作，並且體現了一個建案能影響到相當多人的生活。

Of course, many countries are currently investing in renewable energy and making big commitments to go green over the coming decades, all of which will reduce the influence of Russian fossil fuels.

當然，許多國家目前正在投資再生能源，並且致力於在數十年後完全轉化至綠色能源，而這些作為都會降低俄羅斯化石燃料的影響力。

But until we can switch off the gas for good, and with demand still increasing, we’re kinda stuck with it for now.

然而直到我們可以完全不使用天然氣之前，隨著需求仍在持續上升，我們目前仍沒什麼別的選擇。

It might not be the answer everyone wants, but others say it’s what Europe needs for the time being — that is once its flame is actually lit.

這或許不是大家想要的答案，但有些人說北溪二號就是歐洲現在需要的東西－但那也是它真的能開始運作之後的事情了。

If you enjoyed this video and you wanna get more from the definitive video channel for construction, make sure you’re subscribed to The B1M.

如果你喜歡這部影片並想要在最權威的營造相關影片頻道觀賞到更多內容，記得訂閱 B1M 頻道。