US worried gas supply problems will hit 'unity against Russia'; terms it 'test' for Europe

In US, Joe Biden administration is worried that European Union's solidarity against Moscow may be weakened by gas shorts brought on by decreased Russian supply, according to a media report. CNN reported, quoting US officials, that Amos Hochstein, US presidential coordinator for global energy, has reportedly left for Paris and Brussels to discuss US-European contingency planning in case of winter gas shorts.

CNN quoted an US official, who wished to remain anymous, as saying, " impact on Europe could boomerang back onto US, spiking natural gas and electricity prices. It will also be a major test of European resilience and unity against Russia."

Furr,  United States is also planning to discuss measures to increase nuclear power output with Europe this week.  US is particularly hoping to persuade German government to delay its plans to phase down use of nuclear power and to keep operating its three nuclear power facilities longer, media ncy reported.

On July 25, Russia's energy behemoth Gazprom said that it had to cease functioning of ar Siemens-made turbine because it had reached its capital maintenance point. As a result, Portovaya compressor station's capacity will decrease by almost half, from 67 to 33 million cubic metres per day. tably, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning last week on matter.

rd Stream pipeline has been operating at only 40% of its potential

Since mid-June, rd Stream pipeline has been operating at only 40% of its potential (67 million cubic metres per day), as a result of delayed return of a Siemens turbine that was sent to Canada for maintenance. On July 9, Canada agreed to repatriate repaired turbine after receiving multiple requests from Germany. Before turbine could be imported and placed in Russia and or turbines could be shipped for repairs, according to Gazprom, difficulties involving EU and UK sanctions must be resolved.

According to European Commission, transit equipment for gas is t covered by EU sanctions on Russia. Gas prices have risen after Russia threatened to halt gas supply to Germany and or central European countries earlier this week. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, European gas prices are up about 2%, trading above an earlier all-time high.