Maintenance
Gazprom announced the suspension of gas supply via Nord Stream 1 on its Telegram channel on Wednesday, signaling a shutdown for maintenance. The announcement stated that supply through Nord Stream has been completely stopped and preventive work on the gas compressor unit would begin that day.
Gazprom says it was informed about the upcoming repair work on August 19. The company noted that on August 31 the sole Trent 60 gas compressor unit in operation would be shut down for three days for maintenance and scheduled preventive work. The work would be carried out jointly with Siemens specialists in line with the existing maintenance contract, according to the company.
Gazprom explained that Siemens technical documentation requires servicing the unit every 1000 hours. The process includes inspecting for cracks and deformations, cleaning the unit, removing oil supply systems and air and combustion gases for leaks, opening connections and eliminating leak causes, and checking safety valves while adjusting the airflow control system.
Gas transportation is expected to be suspended for three days from August 31 to September 2. After the maintenance, gas transport would return to a level of 33 million cubic meters per day, assuming the work is completed and no technical malfunctions of the unit are found.
Siemens Energy later stated that it is not currently participating in Gazproms repair work at the Portovaya compressor station, but offered to advise if needed. Reuters cited Siemens Energy as saying its experts could assist if required.
declining supply
RIA Novosti reported that gas supply via Nord Stream 1 has already fallen to zero cubic meters per hour, based on data from gas transmission network operators. Deliveries along the Baltic Sea route ceased as of 04:00 Moscow time, according to the Opal gas pipeline operator, with the Nel pipeline stopping earlier at 03:00. The agency noted that shutting the line for three days could deprive Europe of about 100 million cubic meters of Russian gas, roughly equal to two days of filling underground storage facilities in the region.
In Europe, gas prices rose about 5.5 percent to exceed 2900 dollars per 1000 cubic meters following news of the suspension, according to data from the British ICE benchmark. Nord Stream 1 has operated under restrictions since mid-June due to sanctions that affected turbine work. A turbine involved in repairs was stuck following Canadian sanctions, and in mid-June Gazprom limited operations at the Portovaya compressor station, citing delayed return of pumping units from a German contractor. The result was a drop in daily gas flow from Nord Stream 1 to 100 million cubic meters, then to 67 million cubic meters after another turbine stopped functioning. Since late July, the pipeline has produced only about 20 percent of its capacity, with a single turbine online. Russian officials have attributed the reduced supply to sanctions that hinder maintenance and repair of Siemens gas pumping units.
During the summer, Nord Stream 1 underwent its own maintenance window. In mid-July both lines were shut for 10 days for annual checks of mechanical components and automation systems, while Russia continued to supply Europe through an alternate transit route via Ukraine. Germanys regulator head Klaus Mueller tweeted that the country is better prepared for the interruption, noting that storage facilities are nearly full and LNG terminals are expanding, with gas supplies expected to resume in winter as storage is replenished with support from neighbors and new infrastructure.