Gazprom halts Nord Stream gas supplies until turbine gas damage cured

Gazprom has identified damages during activities at the last operating gas compressor unit of the Nord Stream pipeline and has to completely halt pumping until they are cured, the Russian gas company said on Friday.

During activities at gas compressor unit (GCU No. 24) of Portovaya compressor station, performed jointly with Siemens representatives, Gazprom found oil leakage with sealing compound admixture along terminal connections of cable lines of low and intermediate pressure rotor speed sensors, the company said.

“The letter on detected malfunctions of Trent 60 (No. 24) unit and the need to cure them was sent to President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Energy AG Christian Bruch. Gas transport to the Nord Stream gas pipeline is completely halted until remedial actions for equipment operation,” the gas holding informed.

Cessation of gas supply via Nord Stream was not unexpected — European Council head

The cessation of gas supply via the Nord Stream pipeline was not unexpected, European Council President Charles Michel said on his Twitter Friday.

“Gazprom’s move is sadly no surprise. Use of gas as a weapon will not change the resolve of the EU. We will accelerate our path towards energy independence. Our duty is to protect our citizens and support the freedom of Ukraine,” he tweeted.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow rejects accusations that Russia uses gas or oil as a “weapon of political pressure.”

Source: Itar Tass