Nord Stream 2 Filling Process Has Started
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Weeks after its construction has finished, the operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany began filling it.
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Specialists perform an above-water tie-in, while finishing the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas subsea pipeline, onboard the Laybarge Fortuna in the Baltic Sea, September 8, 2021 (Reuters)
The operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which serves a very prominent geopolitical role by connecting Russia to Germany, said Monday it had begun filling the pipeline with gas.
"The gas-in procedure for the first string of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has started," the operator of the pipeline said in a statement.
The latest step pushing the pipeline to completion comes as the old continent is facing an energy crisis - natural gas reserves are at a low level and energy prices are surging.
"This string will be gradually filled to build the required inventory and pressure as a prerequisite for the later technical tests," said the Switzerland-based company. It declared that it would be publishing further information regarding "further technical steps in due time."
As Europe is facing the said energy crisis, the International Energy Agency called on Russia to "open the taps."
Russia asserted that it would be waiting for the pipeline to come online before it starts delivering more gas, acknowledging that Nord Stream 2 would curb the surge in gas prices across Europe.
The Energy giant, Gazprom, had announced the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline on September 10.
"The construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was fully complete," said Alexei Miller, the chairman of the Management Committee.
