Russia, south European nations expected to sign gas pipeline deal

Russia and several southern European nations are expected to sign a deal for a new pipeline to carry natural gas to Europe. The Russian-lobbied South Stream project could hamper EU plans for a separate pipeline that would reduce its energy dependence on Moscow.
South Stream is expected to carry at least 31 billion cubic meters of gas on a route that bypasses Ukraine, which has battled bitterly with Moscow. It's to be jointly managed by Russian monopoly Gazprom and Italy's Eni. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi are expected to preside over the signing of the deal in Sochi Friday. Ahead of the signing ceremony, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told The Associated Press the exact pipeline route would be mapped out after feasibility studies.