Gazprom announcement: Russia wants to supply even less natural gas through Nord Stream 1

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Nord Stream 1 gas receiving station in Lubmin

Photo: Stefan Sauer / picture alliance / dpa

The Russian energy group Gazprom wants to reduce the maximum gas delivery volumes through the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1 to Germany again.

Gazprom announced that from Thursday morning only a maximum of 67 million cubic meters would be pumped through the pipeline every day.

The Russian state company justified this step again with delays in repair work by Siemens.

Therefore, another gas compression system had to be shut down, it said.

Gazprom had already announced on Tuesday that it would reduce the maximum delivery volume to initially up to 100 million cubic meters of gas per day.

This corresponds to around 60 percent of the previously planned daily volume of 167 million cubic meters of gas.

In the afternoon, the flow of gas through Nord Stream 1 was still within the scope of this latest throttling, as reported by the Reuters news agency, citing data from the pipeline operator.

Germany speaks of a political decision

The Federal Network Agency rejected Gazprom's statements that delays in repairs to a gas compressor unit were the reason for the reduced gas delivery volumes.

Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck said the recent caps were politically motivated and set by Russia.

Gazprom's announced throttling of gas supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline is a "political decision," according to the Green Party politician.

The procedure was “not technically justifiable”, there was a risk of further caps.

For Germany, Nord Stream 1 is the main supply pipeline with Russian gas.

The Yamal-Europe line had previously not been filled.

The transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, which is well below plan, has also been reduced.

Energy prices had already increased as a result of the previous restrictions, because overall less gas flows from Russia to Europe.

While Gazprom has already completely interrupted deliveries to several European customers, including Poland and the Netherlands, Russia is still delivering to Germany.

The finished Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has not yet been put into operation.

Apr/dpa/Reuters