Gazprom has turned off the switch and is citing a new problem – The reactions of Berlin and Brussels and the anxiety throughout the Old Continent.
After all, is there really a technical problem at Gazprom and it cannot turn on the gas tap, or is it another game of nerves and vindictive behavior? Whatever the truth, what is certain is that Europe is running out of natural gas and the inhabitants of the Old Continent are anxious about the difficult winter.
The prolonged turning off of the tap by the Russian company Gazprom may not surprise European governments who claim to have plans for energy independence from Moscow, however, it does not cease to pose a real threat.
A few hours before Nord Stream 1 was due to restart after three days of maintenance work announced by Moscow out of the blue, Gazprom decided to keep the switch off, intensifying the concern of Europeans. The company maintains that the turbine cannot be operated safely unless the leak is fixed. However, there is no timetable for repairs in the announcement, meaning that Nord Stream 1 is being shut down indefinitely.
We remind you that the Commission and the G7 had previously announced a ceiling on the price of Russian natural gas, while Moscow had declared in all tones that if the West proceeded to impose a ceiling it would itself stop selling.
Theoretically, Gazprom will sooner or later announce the operation of the natural gas pipeline to Europe again, however, it is obvious that Russia and the West have already entered into an energy war with unpredictable consequences for the economy internationally and certainly victims of the citizens.
How this situation may de-escalate no one can predict with certainty. What if Putin finally decides to turn off the tap in the winter? Who and how will stop him? With sanctions? The “tsar” currently has the upper hand in every development and now the usually lazy Europeans are called to wake up and react before it is too late.
“Confirmation of the unreliability” of Gazprom is what the chief representative of the Commission, Eric Mamer, says in a tweet.
“Gazprom’s announcement this afternoon that it is once again shutting down Nord Stream 1 under fraudulent pretenses is another confirmation of its unreliability as a supplier,” notes Mr. Mamer.
He adds that “it is also a testament to Russia’s cynicism, as it prefers to burn gas rather than keep contracts.”
Siemens: Oil spill is no reason to shut down Nord Stream 1
The engine oil leak that, according to Gazprom, was detected in the last operating turbine of the Portovaya compressor station is not a technical reason for the shutdown of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, Siemens Energy claims.
“Such leaks do not normally affect the operation of a turbine and can be sealed on site. It is a routine procedure in the context of maintenance work,” the German company said.
“In the past, too, such leaks did not lead to an outage. No maintenance work has been assigned to Siemens Energy at the moment, but we are waiting,” added the company.
“Regardless, we have already pointed out several times that there are many other turbines available at the Portovaya compressor station to operate Nord Stream 1,” the statement concluded.
Germany’s gas regulator said tonight that the country is now better prepared for a supply cut from Russia, but urged citizens and companies to curb consumption after Gazprom announced that the Nord Stream 1 pipeline would remain closed for now.
“With Russia’s decision not to allow gas to flow through Nord Stream 1 at this time, LNG terminals, the associated storage levels and significant savings become even more important,” Klaus Müller tweeted. , the president of the Bundesnetzagentur.
“It’s good that Germany is now better prepared, but now it’s up to each and every one of us,” he added.
“This is part of Russia’s psychological war against us,” tweeted Michael Roth, the head of the German parliament’s foreign affairs committee.
Germany’s natural gas storage tanks are 85% full. Berlin estimates that the target of being 95% full by November 1 will be difficult to achieve unless companies and households cut fuel consumption.
The EU as a whole has already exceeded the target of filling the reservoirs by 80% by October 1st.
