The Russian President warned today that gas flows to Europe via the major Nord Stream 1 pipeline could be further reduced due to slow progress in equipment maintenance.
From 11 to 21 July, the pipeline was shut down for annual maintenance. According to Reuters, citing sources, it is possible that Nord Stream 1 will be launched with a reduced flow.
At a briefing with reporters after a visit to Tehran, Vladimir Putin noted that five gas pumping units serviced by Siemens Energy are operating at Nord Stream 1, and another unit has failed due to “destruction of the inner lining”:
“There are two operating machines, they pump 60 million cubic meters a day … If one is not returned, there will be one left, this is about 30 million cubic meters. Does Gazprom have anything to do with this?”
He added that another turbine of the gas pumping unit will be sent for maintenance on July 26.
Nord Stream-1 is capable of transporting more than 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year to EU, which last year imported about 140 billion cubic meters of Russian gas. Gazprom cut pipeline exports by up to 40% last month, citing delays in returning a turbine under repair in Canada caused by sanctions against Russia. On Monday, the Kommersant newspaper reported that on July 17, after completing repairs, Canada finally shipped the Nord Stream 1 turbine to Germany.
The President of Russia stressed that Gazprom is not responsible for the reduction of gas flows, including the disruption by Kyiv of transit through Ukraine to Europe. He stressed that Gazprom is ready to fulfill its obligations to export gas.
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