Russia’s Gazprom has cited “force majeure” over gas supplies in Europe to at least one of its major customers since June 14, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
According to the letter, Gazprom cannot fulfill its logistics obligations due to “extraordinary” circumstances beyond its control.
A trade source said the letter concerns supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany, while the Russian energy giant has yet to comment on the news.
Invoking force majeure, used when a business is hit by a situation beyond its control, is likely to escalate tensions between Russia and the West.
The European Union, which has imposed sanctions on Moscow, has set a goal to stop using Russian fossil fuels by 2027, but for now it wants its supplies to continue as it tries to wean itself off Russian energy.
Russian gas supplies have been reduced through important routes, including through Ukraine and Belarus, but also through Nord Stream 1.
It is noted that the Russian argument for the reduction of flows already in June was that when the turbine for Nord Stream is delivered, the operation of the pipeline will be restored on July 21 (as it had specified in time), which is however disputed.
Canada sent a turbine for the Russian-German natural gas pipeline to Germany by air on July 17 after carrying out repair work, Kommersant newspaper reported today and Reuters reported.
It will take another five to seven days for the turbine to reach Russia, if there are no other issues with logistics and customs, the newspaper said.
Kremlin-controlled Gazprom has said several times in recent days that it cannot guarantee the safe operation of a critical section of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline because of doubts about the return of the turbine.
It is recalled that the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, through which Germany and by extension central Europe is supplied with natural gas, was closed for 11 days of maintenance work on July 11.
Source: Capital
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