The operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline on the bed of the Baltic Sea announced that the first two lines of the project has been filled with technical gas pending approvals to start exports to Europe, Reuters reported.

The pipeline was supplied with about 177 million cubic meters (mmcm) of technical gas, which is necessary to maintain pressure inside the pipeline for future gas sales.

According to Reuters, the pipeline is waiting for a certification from a German regulator to commence natural gas sales. However, the approval process may take several months.

Nord Stream 2 is expected to double Russia’s gas export capacity in the Baltic to 110 billion cubic meters per year (bcm/y), which would accommodate European gas needs.