Topline
Russia has resumed gas supplies to Europe via a key pipeline after it was shut for repairs 10 days ago, the operator announced on Thursday, dampening energy prices and assuaging fears that Moscow would keep the route shut as the continent faces a looming energy crisis this winter.
Key Facts
Gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline resumed early Thursday morning after planned maintenance works had been finished, the operator said in a statement.
European officials feared the pipeline, which connects Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea and is a major source of the continent’s energy imports, would remain shut after maintenance as payback for Western sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Gas flows on Thursday from Russia’s state-owned Gazprom were only around 40% of the pipeline’s capacity, said Klaus Müller, the president of Germany’s energy regulator, the same level it was operating at before the shutdown.
Gazprom said delays in the return of equipment being serviced in Canada were responsible for the reduction.
Key Background
While the Nord Stream shutdown was planned, officials in Europe widely believed Russian President Vladimir Putin would cut off supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. Europe relies heavily on Russian energy exports, particularly gas. The bloc has struggled to impose effective sanctions targeting the sector as a result and is vulnerable to Russian reprisals. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused Russia of “blackmailing” Europe with its energy resources and warned the continent to prepare for a major or total cut-off of Russian gas. The bloc is urging countries to cut gas use by 15% amid the looming shortage. The Nord Stream reopening will allay some of these fears but not banish them entirely and Brussels is taking steps to prepare for looming energy shortages in winter.
Further Reading
‘Russia Is Blackmailing Us’: EU Plans Gas Reduction As Putin Threatens Shutoff (Forbes)
Russia Shuts Down Gas Pipeline For Maintenance—Europe Holds Breath, Worried It Won’t Re-Open (Forbes)
