The Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Europe has reported a drop in stress, solely hours after a leak was reported within the Nord Stream 2 pipeline within the Baltic Sea off Denmark, the German economic system ministry mentioned.
“We're investigating this incident as effectively, along with the authorities involved and the Federal Community Company,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement late Monday.
“We presently have no idea the rationale for the drop in stress.”
Each pipelines carry pure gasoline from Russia to Europe.
Whereas the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has by no means operated, Nord Stream 1 had been carrying gasoline to Germany till earlier this month, when Russian vitality big Gazprom minimize off the provision, claiming there was a necessity for pressing upkeep work to restore key parts.
Regardless of not delivering gasoline to Europe, each pipelines have nonetheless been crammed with gasoline, German information company dpa reported.
Gazprom’s citing of technical issues as the rationale for lowering gasoline flows by way of Nord Stream 1 have been rejected by German officers as a canopy for a political energy play following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Gazprom began reducing provides by way of Nord Stream 1 in mid-June, blaming delays to the supply of a turbine that had been despatched to Canada for restore
The Nord Stream 2 gasoline pipeline was already full when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz suspended its certification on the eve of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, after Russia formally recognised two Russian-backed breakaway areas in japanese Ukraine.
Germany has been closely reliant on pure gasoline provides from Russia, however since Moscow launched its warfare in Ukraine on February 24, Berlin has been searching for different sources of vitality.
Fears of a winter scarcity have eased considerably as gasoline storage has progressed in latest weeks.
“We don't see any influence on the safety of provide,” the economic system ministry mentioned, referring to the stress drop in Nord Stream 1.
“Because the Russian provide stopped in the beginning of September no gasoline has flowed by way of Nord Stream 1 any extra. Storage ranges proceed to rise steadily. They're presently at about 91%.”
On Tuesday a ceremony is being held for the inauguration of a brand new pipeline, Baltic Pipe, which is able to carry Norwegian gasoline by way of Denmark to Poland.
The Norwegian gasoline is meant to have an essential position in changing Russian gasoline.