The operator of the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2 releases part of the gas that is still contained in the intact pipe. It is correct that the pressure is being reduced, a spokesman for Nord Stream 2 AG confirmed on Thursday in the Swiss canton of Zug.
This is essentially a precautionary measure after the damage to the three remaining Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. So far, the pressure of 105 bar required for operation has been maintained.
The Danish energy authority reported on Twitter on Wednesday that Nord Stream 2 had informed them that the Russian state-owned company Gazprom was currently reducing the pressure in tube B – the undamaged one. In the process, gas is extracted that is used instead in the greater St. Petersburg area. Nord Stream 2 AG is a subsidiary of Gazprom.
According to the operator, gas began to be released from the pipeline on Tuesday. This process will take about eight days. Nord Stream 2 AG did not provide any information on how high the pressure should be in the future. The safety of the gas pipeline is therefore not endangered by the reduced pressure: “That’s not a Coke can,” said the Nord Stream 2 spokesman.
Last week, a total of four underwater leaks were found on the two Nord Stream pipelines, and enormous amounts of gas escaped for days. The EU and NATO assume sabotage.
