Gazprom questions the continued operation of Nord Stream 1

Russian gas company Gazprom has questioned the continued operation of Nord Stream 1 against the backdrop of a necessary turbine overhaul in Canada. Russian gas company Siemens said today that Gazprom has not yet received written confirmation of the delivery of the repaired turbines from Canada to the company responsible for the installation. “Under these conditions” Gazprom cannot guarantee the future operation of the line.

Referring to the faulty turbines, Russia had already severely reduced gas supplies through the Baltic Sea pipeline in mid-June. The turbine was then taken to a Siemens factory in Canada for repair. Because of Canadian sanctions against Russia, it was initially unclear whether the device, which has since been repaired, could be returned.

However, the government in Ottawa gave the green light to export over the weekend. Siemens has announced that it will install the turbine as soon as possible. “Gazprom does not have a single document that allows Siemens to take out of the country the gas turbine engine that is currently being repaired in Canada,” the Russian company said.

Also, regular maintenance work for the “Nord Stream 1” pipeline began on Monday, so that the gas is not flowing for the time being. The work should take about ten days. However, there were doubts about whether the gas would actually flow again after that.