Problems with Nord Stream 1 and 2: Leak and pressure drop in the pipelines

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The bad news about Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 in the energy crisis is not abating: within 24 hours, both German-Russian Baltic gas pipelines, which are currently unused anyway, have reported pressure problems. This was reported by the dpa news agency. The control centre detected a drop in pressure in both pipes of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the operator announced on Monday evening. According to the report, the pipeline's capacity dropped unplanned to zero. The cause is being investigated.

The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWK) and the Federal Network Agency agreed that they were in contact with each other and with the authorities concerned in order to clarify the situation. "At the moment, we do not know the cause of the pressure drop," they said about the problems at Nord Stream 1.

Gas leak at Nord Stream 2 causes problems for maritime traffic

After Nord Stream 2 AG had already informed all the marine authorities of the Baltic Sea riparian states the night before following similar problems at a pipe, the probable cause was identified in the course of Monday: a gas leak had been observed south-east of the island of Bornholm, according to a notice from the responsible Danish authority. The leak was dangerous to maritime traffic and sailing within five nautical miles of the position in question was prohibited.

This was later followed by another warning from the Danish Maritime Authority, this time about a gas leak northeast of Bornholm. Here, too, the danger to shipping was pointed out and a sailing ban was issued for a radius of five nautical miles. It was initially unclear whether the second notice was related to Nord Stream 1.

Gas storage facilities in Germany: Bundesnetz nevertheless optimistic

Despite the second incident within a short period of time, the BMWK and the Netzagentur did not see any effects on the security of supply in Germany in the evening: "No more gas has been flowing through Nord Stream 1 since Russia stopped deliveries at the beginning of September". Nevertheless, the storage levels have continued to rise steadily in recent days and are currently at around 91 per cent, well above the plan. The plan was to reach a storage level of 85 percent in Germany by October and 90 percent by November. By way of comparison, the storage rate across Europe is currently around 87 percent.

Environmental hazards due to the leak near Bornholm are not imminent, at least not in the short term, according to the German Environmental Aid (DUH). According to the organisation, natural gas is equivalent to the greenhouse gas methane, which partially dissolves in water and is not toxic. Even in the case of an explosion under water, there would only be local effects, a spokesperson said. Methane is especially harmful to the climate.

In the worst case, a large amount of gas could leak, especially if the pressure drop in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline is also due to damage to the pipeline itself.

Nord Stream 2: Will the Baltic Sea pipeline be empty?

Nord Stream 2 spokesman Ulrich Lissek already fears that the pipeline, filled with 177 million cubic metres of gas, could run dry in the coming days. By way of comparison, the volume of the entire annual drinking water withdrawal from Lake Constance is equivalent to 130 million cubic metres, according to the Lake Constance Water Supply. Moreover, if the lake, filled with 48 billion cubic metres of water, were an alley, this would roughly correspond to the 55 billion cubic metres of natural gas that should have flowed through both pipes of Nord Stream 2 annually.

Nord Stream 2 pipeline was never put into operation after its completion due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, but was only filled with gas once. About a fortnight ago, Russian plans became known to send the gas volume that had been planned for Europe through Nord Stream 2 through a new pipeline to China, among other places.

By contrast, gas had been flowing to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline until the beginning of September. After the Russian state-owned company Gazprom had already reduced its deliveries through the pipe, it stopped them completely, citing an oil leak at the Portovaya compressor station. In order to compensate for the lack of gas deliveries from Russia, the German government has been looking for new partners for months, most recently the United Arab Emirates, which will deliver liquefied natural gas, so-called LNG, to Germany in the future.

Nord Stream pipeline maintenance limited

But it is not only the gas flow to date that is affected by the war in Ukraine. Because of the sanctions against Russia, Nord Stream 2 AG sees its ability to investigate the causes limited: It is under sanctions, has hardly any staff left, and funds are frozen, the spokesperson said. "The authorities have all been informed." To Lissek's knowledge, there are no Nord Stream 2 AG staff in Lubmin, the place where the pipeline will land in Germany. No orders could be placed either, as they could not pay for them, and they would have to see where they could get information now, the statement continued.

Shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the USA had already imposed sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and made all business with the Swiss-based company impossible. Only recently was the threat of bankruptcy averted once again.

(tkn)