Russia shuts down Nord Stream pipeline 'completely' until turbine repaired
The pipes of the landing facilities of the "Nord Stream 1" gas pipeline in Lubmin, Germany, March 8, 2022. (illustrative image) REUTERS - HANNIBAL HANSCHKE
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The Russian giant Gazprom has announced that the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which was to resume service on Saturday after maintenance, will finally be "completely" stopped until the repair of a turbine in this vital pipeline for supplying Europeans.
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In a press release, Gazprom indicated Friday evening to have discovered oil leaks in the turbine, during this maintenance operation in a compressor station located in Russia.
"
Until the repair (...), the transport of gas via Nord Stream is completely suspended
", indicated the group, without specifying how long this repair could last.
Gazprom claimed to have discovered this "
oil leak
" during a technical inspection carried out with representatives of the German group Siemens, which manufactured the turbine.
The Russian group reports this oil leak on “
cables connected to rotor speedometers
”.
On Telegram, the group posted a photo showing cables surrounded by a brownish liquid.
These technical problems make it impossible to ensure "
safe operation of the gas turbine engine
", maintains Gazprom, relying on a warning from the Russian Civil Industry Monitoring Agency.
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To read also: Nord Stream again circulates Russian gas to Europe
An opinion that does not share Siemens Energy.
In a press release, the turbine manufacturer said Friday "
that such a finding does not constitute a technical reason to stop operations
", specifying that in the past, the appearance "
of this type of leak has not led to the 'stoppage of operations
'.
The Gazprom group was to resume its gas deliveries on Saturday via Nord Stream, which links Russia to northern Germany, after a new three-day interruption for these maintenance operations.
This rebound will further accentuate the anxiety of Europeans, who are struggling to avoid an energy crisis this winter, and accuse Moscow of using gas as a weapon to avenge Western sanctions after the offensive in Ukraine.
(with AFP)
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