Russia’s Gazprom said on Monday it had halted gas leaks from three ruptured Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic Sea and that it may be possible to resume pumping through the remaining single pipeline.
In a statement, the company said pressure on the three lines has stabilized and it is working to reduce environmental risks.
Europe has launched an investigation after major leaks were discovered in Russia’s two Nord Stream gas pipelines, each of which has one pair of pipelines. Germany, Denmark and Sweden said they believed there had been sabotage. Sweden sent a submarine to probe the site, causing three gas pipelines to explode.
1 of 3 Map shows the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea — Photo: Arte g1
The map shows the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea — Photo: Arte g1
Nord Stream 1 reported a significant pressure drop on both lines, believed to be caused by ruptures, while Nord Stream 2 reported a similarly large pressure drop on its “A” line.
Gazprom said that Nord Stream 2’s “B” pipeline can still export gas to Europe if a decision is made to start deliveries.
Nord Stream 1 was fully operational before Russia reduced and halted gas flows for the past six months, citing nonpayment in Russian rubles and technical problems.
But the recently completed Nord Stream 2 was never operational because Germany, where the pipeline reaches the mainland, froze the permitting process as Russia prepared to invade Ukraine.
“If the decision is made to start deliveries via the Nord Stream 2 B line, natural gas will be pumped into the pipeline after the integrity of the system has been verified and confirmed by regulators,” he said.
2 of 3 bubbles appear on the surface of the Baltic Sea near Denmark after the Nord Stream 2 leak — Photo: Danish Defense Command / Reproduction via Portal
Bubbles appear on the surface of the Baltic Sea near Denmark after the Nord Stream 2 leak — Photo: Danish Defense Command / Reproduction via Portal
3 of 3 pipes from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline system in Lubmin, Germany — Photo: Portal/Hannibal Hanschke
Pipes from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline system in Lubmin, Germany — Photo: Portal/Hannibal Hanschke