Gazprom announces that the Nord Stream pipeline will remain closed indefinitely

Russian energy company Gazprom has announced that it has suspended natural gas shipments through the Nord Stream pipeline indefinitely.

In a written statement from Gazprom, it was stated that malfunctions were detected in a turbine in Nord Stream, which was taken into maintenance on August 31 and is expected to be operational again tomorrow.

Pointing out that the natural gas delivery from the line cannot be made without repairing the faults, it was noted in the statement that for this reason, it was decided to suspend the natural gas delivery via Nord Stream for an indefinite period.

RUSSIA’S GAS SHIPMENT TO EUROPE IS DECLINES FASTLY

In a statement made by Gazprom on 19 August, it was stated that natural gas flow will be stopped for three days from 31 August due to pre-scheduled maintenance in Nord Stream.

Nord Stream is known as one of the important lines carrying Russian gas to Europe, as well as the Yamal-Europe pipeline and the pipelines in Ukraine.

After the start of the Ukraine war, while the shipments over the Yamal-Europe line were completely stopped, the shipments over Ukraine decreased by about half.

While Russian officials claim that the problems in natural gas shipments to Europe are caused by sanctions, European officials claim that Russia uses energy resources as a weapon.

SHARE OF RUSSIAN GAS IN EU 38 PERCENT

According to the data before the war, which started on February 24, 38.1 percent of the natural gas used by the 27-member European Union comes from Russia. In EU member countries such as Czechia and Latvia, this rate rises to 100 percent. The share of Russian gas in Germany’s consumption is 65 percent. The USA thinks that the increase in this rate strengthens Russia’s hand politically.