Page 8 - FSUOGM Week 31 2022

FSUOGM PIPELINES & TRANSPORT FSUOGM

Germany blames Gazprom for delaying

the return of Nord Stream turbine

GERMANY GERMANY’S Siemens has said all paperwork of the technical reasons put forward [for reduced
is in place to enable the return of a turbine to the gas flow via Nord Stream] are comprehensible
Berlin says nothing compressor station that handles gas flow into the on a factual basis.”
stands in the way of Nord Stream pipeline, but has accused Gazprom Russia only sent 3.6bn cubic metres of gas to
the turbine's return to of holding up proceedings. Europe in July, evaluation of transit data shows,
Russia. Gazprom has reduced gas flow via Nord marking a record low and 23% below the pre-
Stream to only 20% of capacity, blaming the vious record low set in June. Meanwhile, LNG
delayed delivery of the turbine from Canada imports into the continent were up 115% year
where it underwent maintenance. Canadian on year last month, and 92% above the historic
authorities issued a sanctions exemption, allow- mean level, meaning that there is little capacity
ing the turbine to be shipped back to Russia, but to take additional cargoes if Russia cuts supply
so far it remains stuck in transit in Germany. even further.
“We are extremely interested in returning Meanwhile, EU energy ministers on July 26
the turbine … to Russia,” Siemens Energy CEO essentially watered down on July 26 a proposal
Christian Bruch told local press. “From our point by the European Commission for member states
of view, all documents, customs documents … to introduce a 15% voluntary cut to consump-
are ready, but we need the participation of the tion starting this month, to conserve supply
client, which is Gazprom. This is not yet availa- for winter. Many countries will now be able to
ble. Therefore we cannot use this turbine, which exempt themselves from the proposal for various
has been [in Germany] for more than a week.” reasons, and many especially in South and East
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid a visit to Europe are likely to do just that.
Muelheim an der Ruhr in north-west Germany The original proposal would have also given
on August 3 where the turbine is being held, con- Brussels the power to impose mandatory cuts if
firming that the unit was ready for delivery and the risk of gas supply shortages became acute, by
operation. declaring an “EU alert.” Instead, member states
“The turbine is there, it can be delivered, will have a say in deciding whether such a state
someone just has to say I want it, then it will be of emergency is declared, rather than the Com-
there very quickly,” Scholz told reporters. “None mission alone. ™

P8 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 31 05•August•2022