Gazprom plans to shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline for three days

Russia’s state-owned gas company Gazprom will shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline for three days from August 31 to September 2, citing maintenance on the pipeline.

The closure of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline for three days is expected to further increase Europe’s energy disruptions. Following Gazprom’s announcement, European gas prices rose 7% to over $2,600 per thousand cubic meters.

According to a statement issued by Gazprom, the installation of turbines at a major compressor station along a pipeline connecting western Russia and Germany will be carried out jointly with experts from the German manufacturer, Siemens, according to the current maintenance contract.

According to Gazprom, five turbines need to be operated to pump gas at full capacity. This is the last one of the six turbines in the pipeline that was in operation. Due to sanctions imposed on Russia, a turbine brought to Canada for repair is currently stuck in Germany.

European Union countries have condemned this step of Russia as energy politics by Russia.