Pressure in damaged Nord Stream pipeline has stabilized, gas being pumped out of NS2 Line B for safety

MOSCOW. Oct 3 (Interfax) - Pressure in the damaged Nord Stream gas pipelines has stabilized, Gazprom said.

"Pressure in Line A of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and both lines of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline has stabilized following the ruptures, the gas has stopped leaking," it said.

"Gazprom is working to reduce pressure in the [intact] Line B of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The company is pumping natural gas out of the pipe to do this. This will allow the safe inspection of the integrity of Line B, as well as reduce potential environmental risks in the event of possible gas leaks," Gazprom said.

"If a decision is reached to start deliveries by Line B of Nord Stream 2, then natural gas will be pumped into the gas pipeline, after the integrity of the system has been checked and the oversight bodies have confirmed this is possible," it said.

Both lines of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and one of the Nord Stream lines leaked close to the Danish island of Bornholm on September 26.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline with capacity to transport 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year is currently shut down due to turbines reaching the end of their operating period between repairs and a breakdown of compressor equipment that cannot be repaired due to sanctions.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, with the same capacity, is completed and ready for operation, but was never started due to red tape and sanctions.