According to the Wall Street Journal, European Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn stated that the European Commission doesn’t expect Nord Stream 1 to resume normal operations after the annual 10-day maintenance.
According to the Journal, Hahn stated that they are working under the assumption that the system won’t resume operation.
Hahn’s remarks come after Reuters reported Russia’s Gazprom told European customers it could not guarantee gas supplies due to “extraordinary” circumstances. This has heightened fears that Moscow might not restart the Nord Stream 1 pipeline this Thursday
#Gazprom declares force majeure over some gas supplies to #Europe Gazprom, having a monopoly over #Russian gas exports via pipeline, was informed in a letter that it could not fulfil its supply obligations https://t.co/lutHdJkgVS via @share_talk https://t.co/VPZrtSHCok pic.twitter.com/gh7tBs9Vre
— Share_Talk ™ (@Share_Talk) July 18, 2022
Russia is due to resume flows through Nord Stream by July 21 following planned maintenance. However, fears are growing that this link might not return.
Yesterday, fears grew further after it was revealed that Gazprom, a Kremlin-controlled company, had declared force majeure on certain of its gas supplies to Europe.
Europe could be hit hard if gas is cut completely. Countries are scrambling to fill their storage and find other supplies, amid concerns of blackouts and rationing.
