Pressure lowered in intact Nord Stream 2 line, further steps to be decided after inspection

MOSCOW. Oct 10 (Interfax) - The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline operator has lowered pressure on Line B to 50 bar as a precaution, the Nord Stream 2 AG press office said.

Further steps will depend on the results of an inspection of the gas pipeline's strings and discussions with the government agencies involved, the company said.

Gazprom said on October 3 that it was working to reduce pressure in the intact Line B of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The company was 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.

Both lines of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and one of the Nord Stream 2 lines leaked close to the Danish island of Bornholm on September 26.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline with the 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.