After reductions, Gazprom now completely suspends gas supply to Europe, cites maintenance

In wake of brutal Moscow-Kyiv war, Russia has fully stopped supplying gas to Europe through a significant pipeline due to necessity for maintenance. Russian state-controlled energy behemoth, Gazprom noted in a statement that delivery of Russian gas through Nord Stream gas pipeline has been fully halted as repairs are beginning Wednesday (August 31) at single remaining gas pumping unit at Portovaya compressor station. 

According to an Associated Press report, Gazprom has stated earlier in month that Nord Stream 1 pipeline would no longer be carrying gas due to a three-day maintenance break at a compressor station. maintenance break would last until Saturday (September 3). According to gas industry company, only turbine, which is situated at compressor station in Portovaya, needs servicing.  

As per statement, Gazprom asserted, “Supply via Nord Stream has been completely stopped, today scheduled preventive work is starting at gas pumping unit".  

On Wednesday, August 31, at 4:00 AM (Moscow time)  delivery of Russian gas through Nord Stream pipeline at Germany's Greifswald, receiving point, totally stopped, Tass reported. reduction in gas pumping to zero is also confirmed by data from Nord Stream AG, project's operator. 

Russia has alrey significantly decreased gas shipments via Nord Stream

It is pertinent to mention that Russia has alrey significantly decreased gas shipments via Nord Stream 1 pipeline which extends from Russian coast near St. Petersburg to norastern Germany, under Baltic Sea. Meanwhile, pipeline has recently been functioning at only 20% capacity.  

Apart from this, in month of July, pipeline was again shut down for 10 days due to maintenance, as per Russia. Furrmore, European politicians worry that Russia may prolong disruption in an effort to raise gas prices furr, which have alrey increased by 400%, BB reported. 

Klaus Mueller, he of Germany's Federal Network Agency, claimed that repair work is technically incomprehensible and is intended to penalise Germany for supporting Ukraine during Russian invasion. Germany also asserted that se reductions are a political ploy to raise prices and create uncertainty amid conflict in Ukraine. 

Furr, French Minister of Transition for Energy, Agnes Pannier-Runacher on Tuesday charged Russia with "using gas as a weapon of war." She me se comments after Gazprom announced it would stop supplying gas to French energy firm Engie. 

However, spokesperson for Russian President Vlimir Putin has denied allegations and argued that outages are result of Western sanctions harming Russian infrastructure.  

(Image: AP)