Gazprom does not have a single document that allows German conglomerate Siemens to take a gas turbine engine for the Portovaya compressor station from Canada, the Russian gas giant said on Wednesday.

Nord Stream's parent company explained that the turbine station was vital for the operation of its natural gas pipeline Nord Stream, and its turbine is currently in Canada for repairs.

"Gazprom does not have a single document that allows Siemens to take out of Canada the gas turbine engine for the Portovaya CS, which is being repaired there," the company said on Telegram. 

Under the current circumstances, the company said, it would be impossible to draw an objective conclusion about any further development of the situation regarding ensuring the safe operation of the Portovaya compressor station, "which is a critical facility for the Nord Stream gas pipeline."

Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail reported earlier, citing sources, that the turbine that Siemens Energy could not previously return from maintenance due to Canadian sanctions on Russia was already on its way to Europe. 

German Energy Minister Robert Habeck urged Canada to hand over the turbine to Germany rather than Russia in order to avoid legal action.

Canad may also repair and service five more Russian turbines for the Nord Stream gas pipeline within two years, the newspaper explained, highlighting that the accord on the exemption from sanctions on Russia was in effect.

Canadian Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said Sunday that the Nord Stream 1 turbines that Siemens sent to Canada for maintenance will be returned to Germany, and not Russia, due to the sanctions imposed on the latter.

Wilkinson added that the German economy would have suffered "significant hardship" if Russian gas supplies had been limited and that heating would have become unaffordable for many during the cold months.

Gazprom reduced on June 16 gas pipeline deliveries to 40% of its capacity, explaining this by problems with the maintenance of gas turbines at Portovaya. Nord Stream has since stopped until July 21 for scheduled maintenance.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that further maintenance delays could result in a complete shutdown of gas flows via the pipeline network.