Two German energy majors, Uniper and RWE, indicated they received a notice suggesting possible force majeure in relation to gas shipments from the Russian supplier Gazprom. The correspondence is dated 14 July, and Gazprom has not issued a public comment to date. The force majeure clause, a standard element in many employment and supply contracts, is designed to cover extraordinary events that relieve a party from its contract obligations.
Uniper has publicly dismissed the report as unfounded, while RWE declined to disclose the content of the response letter, noting that it could not comment on specifics or legal opinions. A Reuters informant, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, described the force majeure warning as connected to deliveries via Nord Stream 1, the primary gas export route to Germany and neighboring regions.
Bloomberg contributors described the warning as indefinite in its scope. An industry analyst observed that the notice could signal that supply disruptions may persist longer than initially expected. The analyst also noted that applying force majeure retroactively is unusual and suggested European buyers would scrutinize the notice and pursue compensation if applicable.
Experts weighed in on the broader implications. One veteran trader highlighted that force majeure typically covers events beyond a seller’s control, a premise that becomes contentious given the ongoing geopolitical frictions surrounding gas deliveries. They added that mitigation measures should be considered and that the current situation presents grey areas for both sides of the contract. Another researcher speculated that the Russian government might use the situation to increase pressure on Europe, potentially easing back on resuming supplies as a strategic choice.
Meanwhile, a respected energy analyst stressed that the situation could reflect a larger strategic calculus rather than a simple contractual trigger, with potential effects on European buyers seeking remedies or adjustments in pricing and supply guarantees.
The topic of turbine-related disruptions appeared in the same media window. In early June, Canada enacted a new sanctions framework affecting Russia in response to its military actions in Ukraine, curbing several services tied to mining, oil products, coal production, and related sectors. This created a bottleneck for a Siemens gas pumping unit, which had been awaiting resolution amid the sanctions regime. By mid-June, Gazprom reduced Nord Stream capacity to 40 percent, attributing the cut to Canada’s failure to return a turbine after repair.
On 9 July, Ottawa indicated that the refurbished turbine would be returned, a move aligned with Berlin’s requests and supported by Washington. The European Commission noted that Canada’s turbine return did not breach EU sanctions. A Kommersant report suggested the turbine could reach Russia within five to seven days, contingent on logistics and customs clearance, though Siemens declined to confirm or deny those details. Siemens officials stated there were no comments on shipping at that time.
Economy ministry officials in Germany indicated the turbine should only be put back into service starting September, implying that the core reason for any supply reductions could extend beyond turbine absence and point toward broader restart challenges. Analysts mentioned that Nord Stream 1 gas flows were down for maintenance, with plans to resume on 21 July after scheduled work. Nord Stream AG confirmed that the program and work plans were agreed with partners, while also noting the maintenance timeline. Gazprom reported record volumes through the Power of Siberia pipeline, which transports gas under a long-term contract with CNPC in China. In the European Union, discussions emerged about diversifying away from Russian gas and increasing imports from Azerbaijan, with officials signaling potential growth in volumes in the coming years. The EU leader stated that volumes could rise to about 20 billion cubic meters in the near term and reach 12 billion cubic meters in the following year, emphasizing a continued push for diversification in energy supply chains.
The broader narrative shows a Europe recalibrating its gas security posture amid persistent supply concerns. While pipe maintenance and political signaling have driven volatility, policymakers and industry players are assessing how much of the disruption is technical versus strategic, and what that means for pricing, contracts, and long-term energy partnerships across North America and Europe.