New threat to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Audio 04:01

The construction site of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Lubmin in northern Germany in March 2019. Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP

By: Dominique Baillard Follow

9 min

Publicity

Once again, the fate of

the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

connecting Russia to Germany appears to be in jeopardy.

The use of this pipe under construction in the waters of the Baltic could be called into question if the Kremlin refuses to cooperate in the investigation into the poisoning of the opponent Alexeï Navalny.

For the first time, a member of Angela Merkel's cabinet clearly considered this threat in his discussions with the Kremlin.

A noticeable change in tone from the Chancellor.

Until now, it has always refused to make the amalgam between the tense diplomatic relations with Moscow and this commercial contract considered strategic for the energy supply of Germany.

The Chancellor is moving today under pressure from some members of her party, the CDU.

The only language the Kremlin understands is gas

 Says one of the aspirants to succeed Angela Merkel, Norbert Röttgen, chairman of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee.

Same tone from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Social Democrat Heiko Maas, while his party is traditionally committed to the cause of Russian gas.

He said it on television: if Moscow does not cooperate in the investigation, it would be wrong to exclude

a priori

consequences for Nord Stream 2.

The pipeline is almost finished.

It could enter service as early as next year.

Is it credible to consider shutting it down?

Twelve billion euros were spent on this site, led by the Russians.

Gazprom holds 50% of the company's shares, the Germans Uniper and Wintershall DEA, the Dutch Shell, the Austrian OMV and the French Engie complete the round.

A total shutdown would undoubtedly cause an avalanche of compensation procedures for all the companies concerned.

In terms of supply, the effect is more moderate: because Nord Stream 2 initially will not be able to supply as much gas as its big brother, Nord Stream 1, but about half as much due to new gas regulations. European gas market.

The condemnation of the gas pipeline would however be a disappointment for the countries which rely on this new source of supply.

In addition to Germany, this is the case of Italy, Austria and Slovakia, but also of the Czech Republic, which discounts

royalties

on the transit of gas intended for its neighbors to the South.

This pipeline is not its first controversy.

Its existence has already been questioned many times.

In Europe, Poland is its fiercest opponent, it is also launching proceedings against all the companies involved in the consortium for breaking the rules of competition.

Denmark procrastinated for two years before giving the green light to the track last winter.

And since then, it is the United States that has been on the offensive, in the name of American law as it is wont to do.

The Swiss Allseas, a world expert in submarine projects, threw in the towel because of threats of American sanctions.

This summer, Republican elected officials increased the pressure: they now want to target personalities and all the companies, a hundred, involved in the project.

For now, Europe has not given in, believing that the Americans are first defending their liquefied gas which they want to export to Europe.

We will see in the coming days if the fate of Alexeï Navalny moves the lines.

► In short

Chinese foreign trade figures very contrasted for the month of August

Exports have largely rebounded, + 9.5% over one year, an unexpected rate.

On the other hand, imports remain negative: - 2.1%.

Internal consumption would be less strong than what is expected by forecasters.

Mysterious Chinese Seed Sending Via Amazon Causes Confusion In U.S.

The platform now prohibits sales of seeds via foreign importers.

s US sellers will be permitted.

Customers who received the seeds without ordering were intrigued by these gifts, perhaps just commercial bait.

For the moment, these seeds distributed in about fifty states have proven to be safe, but the administration is investigating and urging consumers not to plant them.

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