Russian gas company Gazprom has questioned the continued operation of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline against the backdrop of a necessary turbine repair in Kurbyn, Canada. The Russian conglomerate said in a statement on Wednesday that Gazprom has yet to receive written confirmation that the repaired turbine from Canada will indeed be delivered to Siemens, the company responsible for the installation. “Under these circumstances” Gazprom cannot guarantee the future operation of the line.

Referring to faulty turbines, Russia had already severely curtailed gas supplies through the Baltic Sea pipeline in mid-June. The turbine was then taken to a Siemens plant in Canada for repair. Due to Canada’s sanctions against Russia, it was initially unclear whether the equipment, which has been repaired, could be returned.

However, in Ottawa, the government gave a green signal for exports over the weekend. Siemens Group announced that it will install the turbine as soon as possible. “Gazprom does not have a single document that allows Siemens to take gas turbine engines being repaired in Canada out of the country,” the Russian company said.

Routine maintenance work on the Nord Stream pipeline also started on Monday, which is currently not flowing through gas. The work should take about ten days. However, there were doubts whether the gas would actually flow again after that.

(AFP)