Gazprom Restores Nord Stream Operations After Planned Maintenance
Gazprom announced a temporary suspension of gas supply via Nord Stream from August 31 to September 2. The stop is due to maintenance and planned preventive work on the Portovaya compressor station, where the sole operating Trent 60 gas compressor unit will be taken offline for service.
The company confirmed that routine maintenance would be performed in collaboration with Siemens experts under the existing maintenance contract. Gas transport is expected to return to the level of 33 million cubic meters per day once the work is completed and the unit operates without faults.
Gazprom explained that Siemens technical documentation requires maintenance every 1000 hours. The procedure includes inspecting the housing for cracks, dents, and deformations, checking for burn spots, cleaning the housing, inspecting oil and air supply systems, testing for leaks, opening connections to eliminate leak causes, and verifying the performance of safety valves while installing the air flow control system. [Citation: Gazprom press release]
Gas Costs Rise Above $2,700
European gas prices surged as markets absorbed news of the supply cease. Futures in the Netherlands traded at about $2,712 per 1,000 cubic meters, with the daily cost up more than 8% overall. The spike marks a notable rise from earlier levels and signals continued volatility in regional energy markets. [Citation: market data]
Earlier, Gazprom indicated that European gas prices could push higher than the record $4,000 per 1,000 cubic meters during the winter months. The price uptick is also influenced by higher spot gas values in Asia, Norway’s scheduled maintenance reducing supply, warmer European temperatures, and weaker wind-driven power generation. [Citation: market analysis]
One Turbine, Two Pipelines
Gazprom has reduced its gas exports to non-CIS countries by 36.2% in the first seven and a half months of the year, delivering up to 78.5 billion cubic meters so far. Since July 27, Nord Stream has operated at roughly 20% of its maximum capacity. The curtailed flow is partly due to the absence of the Siemens turbine, which was sent to Canada for repair and has remained there amid sanctions. [Citation: industry briefing]
German authorities reached an agreement with Canada to ship the turbine first to Germany for inspection before it reaches Gazprom, a move viewed in some circles as a workaround to sanctions. The turbine remains in Germany, and Siemens Energy has even suggested a lighthearted Spotify playlist for the turbine to avoid isolation. [Citation: regulatory updates]
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Russia to stop employing what he described as deceptive arguments and to procure the engine directly. EU nations continue stocking underground storage facilities ahead of a potential contraction in Russian gas deliveries. Current storage levels are reported around 75%, with plans to reach 80% before winter through a mix of pipeline imports and LNG purchases at higher tariffs. [Citation: EU energy policy]
With Nord Stream reduced, voices within Germany have called for restarting the Nord Stream 2 project to reinforce energy security. Several mayors from the island of Rügen urged the government to reconsider, arguing it would bolster resilience against supply disruptions. [Citation: regional statements]
Recently, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, warned Europeans to hold authorities to account for sanctions, suggesting hardships like cold apartments and empty fridges as consequences. A Telegram post from a former Russian president was cited in discussions about winter conditions in Russia and Europe. [Citation: social media post]
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, spanning about 2,460 kilometers, was designed to transfer up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany and began operation in September 2021. Certification was halted following the Donbass events, effectively freezing the project as geopolitical tensions persisted. [Citation: infrastructure history]