Russia resumes Nord Stream gas supply: Operator

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Jul 2022 08:53

After a 10-day maintenance delay, Russia resumes exporting gas to Europe via its largest pipeline.

Russia resumes Nord Stream gas supply - Operation

The Nord Stream gas pipeline, which connects Russia and Germany, reopened on Thursday following a 10-day repair period, according to its operator.

"It's working," a Nord Stream spokesperson said, without specifying the amount of gas being delivered. The German government was concerned that Moscow might not reopen the pipeline after the scheduled work.

As highly reliant Germany accused the Kremlin of using energy as a "weapon", Europe anticipated the resumption of Russian gas supplies at the completion of scheduled work on a critical pipeline.

Germany feared that Russia might grab the chance to just shut down the taps completely or almost so, plunging Europe into an energy catastrophe. The confrontation comes at a time when Russia and the West are at odds over the war in Ukraine.

Here are some of the risks that #Germany could encounter if the maintenance period of the #NordStream1 pipeline lasts longer or if it reopens with reduced flows. pic.twitter.com/ylFCa6xMTI
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 12, 2022

"Moscow is not shying away from using grain and energy deliveries as a weapon," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters this week, referring to allegations that Moscow was also deliberately blocking food exports from Ukraine. "We have to be resolute in protecting ourselves."

However, Germany's continued reliance on Russian gas, combined with unmistakably negative signals from Moscow, was ready to increase the pressure on Europe's largest economy. The IMF warned on Wednesday that a supply disruption could reduce GDP by 1.5% in 2022.

It may take few hours for Nord Stream supplies to reach 2.66 Mln cubic meters

Gas deliveries via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline currently make up about 30% of capacity, operator Nord Stream AG said on Thursday, adding that reaching 2.66 million cubic meters per hour may take several hours.

The data provided by gas transmission operators OPAL and NEL earlier in the day showed that the deliveries resumed from 04:00 GMT after scheduled maintenance works. The physical flow during the first hour of operation amounted to almost 1.9 million cubic meters, according to the operator's data. This is about 30% of the nominal power of the line.

"We are in the process of resuming gas transportation. It will take several hours to reach the declared volumes," Nord Stream said in response to a request from Sputnik.

Nord Stream turbine on its way to Germany

Canada on Sunday shipped to Germany the repaired Nord Stream turbine that has been stranded in Montreal for over a week due to sanctions imposed on Russia, the Russian Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The fixed turbine should arrive in Russia by July 24.

Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail reported earlier, citing sources, that the turbine 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.