A repaired gas turbine will be installed in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Germany once it is returned after maintenance, and natural gas will then be supplied in “corresponding volumes,” a Kremlin spokesman said on July 25.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stopped short of saying supply would increase, noting that further equipment needed to be repaired.
But he sounded a relatively upbeat note after weeks of uncertainty over the turbine repair in Canada, and a 10-day shutdown of Nord Stream 1 for annual maintenance, had sown doubt in Europe over whether Russia might shut the pipeline altogether.
“The turbine will be installed after all the formalities are complete... And the gas will be pumped in the corresponding volumes, the volumes which are technologically possible,” Peskov told reporters.
He was commenting on a report by Kommersant newspaper that Siemens Energy, which had serviced the turbine in Canada, had handed over Canadian documentation to Gazprom which would allow its return.
The Kremlin has denied accusations by European politicians that it is using its energy leverage to “blackmail” the EU, which together with the U.S. and other Western nations has imposed waves of sanctions on Moscow since it sent its army into Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Gazprom resumed supplies via Nord Stream 1 last week after the 10-day maintenance break, but only at 40% of the pipeline's capacity.
Russia has said it was forced to lower the volume of gas to that level in June because Western sanctions were delaying the return of the turbine from Canada.
European politicians have challenged that explanation, with Germany saying the turbine in question was not meant to be used until September.
Peskov said that there was more Nord Stream 1 equipment that needed repairing and Siemens Energy was aware of that.
He also said that Moscow was not interested in a complete stoppage of Russian gas supplies to Europe, which is in a rush to fill its underground storage with gas before the winter season.
Peskov said Gazprom was not to blame for the storage risks, reiterating Moscow’s line that Europeans are suffering the consequences of sanctions that they themselves imposed against Russia.
Recommended Reading
Improving Gas Macro Heightens M&A Interest in Haynesville, Midcon
2025-03-24 - Buyer interest for Haynesville gas inventory is strong, according to Jefferies and Stephens M&A experts. But with little running room left in the Haynesville, buyers are searching other gassy basins.
Permian to Drive Output Growth as Other Basins Flatten, Decline–EIA
2025-01-14 - Lower 48 oil production from outside the Permian Basin—namely, the Bakken and Eagle Ford shales—is expected to flatten and decline in coming years, per new EIA forecasts.
More Uinta, Green River Gas Needed as Western US Demand Grows
2025-01-22 - Natural gas demand in the western U.S. market is rising, risking supply shortages later this decade. Experts say gas from the Uinta and Green River basins will make up some of the shortfall.
In Inventory-Scarce Permian, Could Vitol’s VTX Fetch $3B?
2025-03-28 - With recent Permian bids eclipsing $6 million per location, Vitol could be exploring a $3 billion sale of its shale business VTX Energy Partners, analysts say.
Chord Drills First 4-Mile Bakken Well, Eyes Non-Op Marcellus Sale
2025-02-28 - Chord Energy drilled and completed its first 4-mile Bakken well and plans to drill more this year. Chord is also considering a sale of non-op Marcellus interests in northeast Pennsylvania.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.