13 Jul 2022 17:21

Gazprom not forecasting how situation with Nord Stream safety might unfold

MOSCOW. July 13 (Interfax) - Gazprom is not undertaking to predict how the situation might unfold with ensuring the safe operation of Nord Stream and the gas turbines of the Portovaya compressor station, which pump gas through the submarine pipeline.

The Russian gas giant's statement followed reports about the decision by the Canadian authorities to allow turbines for the Portovaya compressor station to be moved from its territory, as well as reports that a plant in Canada will continue to repair turbines from Portovaya in the future.

"Gazprom does not possess a single document allowing Siemens to move from Canada a gas turbine engine for the Portovaya CS, which is being repaired there. In these circumstances, it is not possible to draw an objective conclusion about the further development of the situation with ensuring the safe operation of the Portovaya CS, which is a critical facility for the Nord Stream gas pipeline," Gazprom said.

Nord Stream went into service in 2011. It pumped 59.2 billion cubic meters of gas in 2021. The project involves Gazprom, Wintershall Dea, Gasunie, E.ON and Engie.

Nord Stream is now operating at 40% capacity, because one of the pipeline's turbines has not returned from an overhaul at the plant in Montreal owing to Canadian sanctions. At the Portovaya compressor station, which is the starting compressor station of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the time between overhauls before major maintenance and repairs of other engines has ended.

The decline in gas supplies has already forced Germany's largest energy company, Uniper, to apply for government support; and the chemical concern BASF is on the verge of reducing or closing part of its production facilities owing to a shortage of gas.