Nord Stream 1 Farm

Gazprom announces the closure of Nord Stream 1 for an indefinite period. The EU criticizes this decision but is not surprised. For her, it is a means of pressure exerted by the Kremlin.

Share:

Nord Stream 1 is closed for an indefinite period. Gazprom cites technical reasons for the closure. The EU strongly criticizes this decision and maintains the accusation that the closure is a means of political pressure.

Nord Stream 1 closure does not surprise the EU

Recently, Gazprom said it had found an oil leak in the last operational turbine of the Portovaya station. This statement supported the closure of Nord Stream 1. However, the Russian company says that it will resume gas delivery as soon as possible.

Gazprom maintains its statement about maintenance problems. It also states that Siemens was involved in the maintenance and approved the detection of the oil leak. However, Siemens claims that this leak is not a sufficient reason to completely cut off the flows via Nord Stream 1.

Faced with this situation, the EU does not seem surprised. In fact, the reduction of flows from Russia and the context of war lighten these actions. In addition, it sees the current context as an opportunity to accelerate its energy independence from Russia. Objective amply put forward in the REPowerEU plan and sanctions against the Kremlin.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, says on this subject

“Gazprom’s decision is unfortunately not a surprise. Using gas as a weapon will not change the EU’s determination. We will accelerate our path to energy independence.”

Eric Mamer, spokesman for the European Commission also spoke on this subject. He reiterates the unreliability of the Gazprom company and underlines the cynicism of the Russian plan to cut off the gas.

Responses to the threat of shortages

Nevertheless, the threat of a gas shortage has allowed European countries to take action. Indeed, circumstances have prompted Germany to fortify alternatives to Russian gas to ensure supply. Thus, the country’s gas stocks are at 84.3%. The goal is to reach 85% by October.

Each European country has adopted a strategy. Some are turning to the development of renewable energy, others are diversifying their sources of supply, and still others are turning to energy sources that they had abandoned.

At the same time, the G7 countries have stated that they want to keep the pipeline closed. This after agreeing on a plan to cap Russian oil prices. The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, is also calling for a price cap.

Turkey has connected its gas grid to Syria’s and plans to begin supplying gas for power generation in the coming weeks, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
Despite record electricity demand, China sees no significant increase in LNG purchases due to high prices and available alternative supplies.
US natural gas production and consumption are expected to reach record highs in 2025, before slightly declining the following year, according to the latest forecasts from the US Energy Information Administration.
Naftogaz announces the launch of a natural gas well with a daily output of 383,000 cubic meters, amid a sharp decline in Ukrainian production following several military strikes on its strategic facilities.
Sonatrach and ENI have signed a $1.35 billion production-sharing agreement aiming to extract 415 million barrels of hydrocarbons in Algeria's Berkine basin, strengthening energy ties between Algiers and Rome.
Maple Creek Energy is soliciting proposals for its advanced 1,300 MW gas project in MISO Zone 6, targeting long-term contracts and strategic co-location partnerships with accelerated connection to the regional power grid.
VMOS signs a USD 2 billion loan to finance the construction of the Vaca Muerta South pipeline, aiming to boost Argentina's energy production while reducing costly natural gas imports.
According to a Wood Mackenzie report, Argentina could achieve daily gas production of 180 million cubic metres per day by 2040, aiming to become a key regional supplier and a significant exporter of liquefied natural gas.
Côte d'Ivoire and the Italian group Eni assess progress on the Baleine energy project, whose third phase plans a daily production of 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas for the Ivorian domestic market.
The extreme heatwave in China has led to a dramatic rise in electricity consumption, while Asia records a significant drop in liquefied natural gas imports amid a tight global energy context.
E.ON, together with MM Neuss, commissions Europe’s first fully automated cogeneration plant, capable of achieving a 91 % fuel-use rate and cutting CO₂ emissions by 22 000 t a year.
Facing the lowest temperatures recorded in 30 years, the Argentine government announces reductions in natural gas supply to industries to meet the exceptional rise in residential energy demand across the country.
Solar power generation increased sharply in the United States in June, significantly reducing natural gas consumption in the power sector, despite relatively stable overall electricity demand.
Golden Pass LNG, jointly owned by Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy, has asked US authorities for permission to re-export liquefied natural gas starting October 1, anticipating the imminent launch of its operations in Texas.
Delfin Midstream reserves gas turbine manufacturing capacity with Siemens Energy and initiates an early works programme with Samsung Heavy Industries, ahead of its anticipated final investment decision in the autumn.
Norwegian group DNO ASA signs gas offtake contract with ENGIE and secures USD 500 million financing from a major US bank to guarantee future revenues from its Norwegian gas production.
Golar LNG Limited has completed a private placement of $575mn in convertible bonds due in 2030, using part of the proceeds to repurchase and cancel 2.5 million of its own common shares, thus reducing its share capital.
Shell Canada Energy announces shipment of the first liquefied natural gas cargo from its LNG Canada complex, located in Kitimat, British Columbia, primarily targeting fast-growing Asian economic and energy markets.
The Australian government is considering the establishment of an east coast gas reservation as part of a sweeping review of market rules to ensure supply, with risks of shortages signalled by 2028.
The increase in oil drilling, deepwater exploration, and chemical advances are expected to raise the global drilling fluids market to $10.7bn by 2032, according to Meticulous Research.