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Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline:
example of Russia's politicization of technical issues
Photo: John Macdougall / AFP
According to insiders, the missing turbine for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline is stuck in Germany after its maintenance in Canada.
Russia has not yet granted permission for onward transport to the country, Reuters news agency reports exclusively, citing two people familiar with the matter.
The turbine, whose delayed return means that less gas can flow through the pipeline, according to Russian information, was flown from Montreal to Cologne by the logistics company Challenge Group on July 17.
It is unclear when the approximately twelve meter long component can be brought to Russia.
It could take days or even weeks, the insiders said.
Initially, no statement could be reached from Challenge Group.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs also declined to comment.
Federal Economics Minister
Robert Habeck
said on Thursday, however, that the "cabal around the turbine from Canada" is an example of the politicization of technical issues by Russia.
"Sometimes you get the impression that Russia doesn't want to take them back," said the Green Party politician.
So far, Moscow has not provided the necessary documents to import the turbine built by Siemens Energy, one of the insiders said.
Russia's energy giant Gazprom, whose subsidiary Nord Stream AG owns the turbine, cites missing documents as the reason for the delay.
Siemens Energy explained that under normal circumstances the maintenance is an absolutely routine operation.
"Of course we want to transport the turbine back to its place of use as quickly as possible. How long that takes is not entirely within our sphere of influence."
Gazprom initially did not comment on the process.
The turbine had been transported to Canada for routine maintenance.
The country had initially blocked a return in view of the international sanctions against Russia.
However, under pressure from the federal government, the turbine was brought to Germany in order to be transported from there to Russia.
The government in Moscow justified the reduced gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline with the lack of the turbine.
The federal government considered this to be an advanced argument, but nevertheless advocated delivery of the turbine so as not to give Russia an excuse.
Economics Minister Habeck left open where the turbine is: "The turbine was in Germany at the beginning of the week. And when it has reached Russian territory and been handed over to Gazprom, then we will let you know."
mike/Reuters
