Russia resumes gas supply to Europe after fears of complete shutdown

Gas flows from Nord Stream 1 are expected to account for 30 per cent of the pipeline’s capacity
Bill McLoughlin21 July 2022

Russian natural gas supplies have started to flow through a major pipeline to Europe after a 10-day shutdown.

On Thursday, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline resumed after being closed on July 11 for maintenance work. German officials had feared the pipeline may not reopen at all due to tensions between the two countries.

Although the pipeline has resumed, gas flows are expected to fall short of previous supplies, sparking concern in Germany due to its reliance on Russian gas.

The head of Germany’s network regulator, Klaus Mueller, said on Twitter that deliveries would amount to about 30 per cent of the pipeline’s capacity.

In June, Gazprom cut the flow of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline by 40 per cent.

It cited alleged technical problems involving equipment that partner Siemens Energy had sent to Canada for overhaul and couldn't be returned because of sanctions on Russia.

Prior to the outbreak of the war, Germany received 55 percent of its natural gas from Russia.

Due to concern that further gas supplies could be reduced, Germany has entered into its phase two emergency plan in order to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, including halting the final certification of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline in February.

Previously, German economy minister, Robert Habeck said: “We are in a gas crisis.

"From now on, gas is a commodity in short supply. The prices are already high and we have to reckon with further hikes.”

Across the EU, member states are being asked to curb consumption of natural gas by up to 15 per cent as part of a wider plan to deal with supplies from Russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a news conference on Wednesday: “Russia is blackmailing us. Russia is using energy as a weapon.

“And therefore in any event, whether a partial major cutoff of Russian gas or a total cutoff of Russian gas, Europe needs to be ready.”

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