Germany and other European nations are closely monitoring the Nord Stream 1 pipeline over the next ten days as Russian gas giant Gazprom conducts normal maintenance.
The yearly maintenance on the two pipes was planned out far in advance. However, the tumultuous character of ties between Russia and the West ever since the invasion of Ukraine is what has Germany and other European countries afraid. They worry that Gazprom would take advantage of the situation and just close the valves, depriving them of gas.
“We are confronted by an unprecedented situation… anything is possible,” German vice-chancellor, Robert Habeck, told public radio.
“It is possible that the gas will flow once more, even at a higher volume level than before.” But, he warned, “it is possible that nothing comes through, and we still have to prepare for the worst” as Europe scrambles to transition away from Russia for energy supplies.
Political Blackmail?
Over the weekend, at least one issue was overcome when, in spite of Ukraine’s protests, Canada decided to return to Germany the turbines required to maintain the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.
Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, on Sunday “saluted the decision of our Canadian friends” to provide Siemens Canada what Ottawa described as a temporary, revocable authorization to allow the machine to be returned. He said this through his spokesperson.
Russia had stressed that before ramping up supply again after several weeks of heavy cutbacks, it wanted the equipment returned.
However, Ukraine this week charged Berlin of caving to Russian “blackmail” as Moscow attributed curtailed supply to maintenance rather than market conditions brought on by the Ukraine war.
Berlin has clarified that it would be challenging for Gazprom to completely discontinue supply via Nord Stream due to technical issues.
“It is not like a water tap that can simply be turned on or off”, Habeck described.
Context
The longest undersea pipeline in the world, Nord Stream 1, which connects Germany and Russia under the Baltic Sea, has been in use for ten years.
Germany postponed licensing of a second pipeline, Nord Stream 2, when Russia invaded Ukraine in February due to concerns about Europe’s heavy reliance on Russian gas supply.
Source: AFP
Adam Ibrahim
Adam is passionate about politics and issues that affect governance. As a writer, he channels his energies into writing on pertinent national and political issues for the good of the Ghanaian people.