Gazprom has again suspended gas supplies on the arterial Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany, stating that the pipeline is undergoing preventive work at the compressor unit
Russia’s state-owned energy giant – Gazprom has again suspended gas supplies on the arterial Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany, stating that the pipeline is undergoing preventive work at the compressor unit.
Gazprom said the restrictions on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline would last for the next 3 days. The suspension is the latest in a series of halts to gas supplies that have contributed to an ongoing energy crisis in Europe in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Prior to this, the pipeline was shut down for 10 days in July 2022 for repairs. Gazprom said that pipeline is operating at just 20% capacity because of faulty equipment.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline stretches 1,200 kms. (745 miles) under the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast near St Petersburg to north-eastern Germany. It opened in 2011 and can send a maximum of 170 million cubic metres of gas per day from Russia to Germany.
The President of Germany Network Regulator – Klaus Mueller said, “I assume that we will be able to cope with it. I trust that Russia will return to 20% on Saturday, but no one can really say.”
The announcement came shortly after European gas network operator – European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) announced that deliveries had ceased. Gazprom said that stoppages in supply are necessary for routine maintenance but have been exacerbated by equipment delivery complications created by Western sanctions on Russia.
Germany has accused Moscow of using its energy resources as a weapon in response to sanctions imposed by European Union (E.U.). Europe’s ongoing energy crunch has seen a 400% surge in wholesale gas prices since last August.
The shortages have squeezed consumers and businesses alike, who are reeling from sky-high inflation and the high cost of living. The situation is expected to worsen as European countries enter the cold winter months, with many homes using natural gas for heating. Some countries, including France, have said fuel rationing is possible.
Since launching its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has also stopped its supply to Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Poland. Gazprom said it would suspend gas deliveries to its French contractor over a payments dispute.
The European Union is preparing to take emergency action to reform the electricity market in order to bring rising prices under control, with energy ministers scheduled to hold extraordinary talks next week.
Europe as a whole is also making progress in filling its gas storage tanks. On Sunday, storage levels were already at 79.9% of capacity in the E.U. The German Economy Minister – Robert Habeck, who is leading efforts to replace Russian gas imports by mid-2024, said the country currently does not have the needed stores to make it through the winter.
