This is how important the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline is for Europe

Currently, 40 percent less gas is flowing from Russia to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. From July 11 to 21, no gas will ever be delivered. Officially because of maintenance work on the pipeline, unofficially because of the political tactics of the Russian leadership. There is a lot of excitement about this in Europe, and especially in Germany, because the pipeline is the main energy lifeline for the German economy. Here are the top questions and answers about Nord Stream 1:

What exactly is Nord Stream 1?

Russian gas is transported from Siberia to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. It is the main supply line between the two countries. The double-chain pipelines, which will pass through the Baltic Sea, will end in Vyborg in Russia Lubmin near Greifswald in Mecklenburg. The pipeline has a length of 1,224 kilometers and a construction cost of 7.4 billion euros.

Why is the gas flowing less now?

According to Russian information, maintenance work on the pipeline is being delayed due to the lack of components. According to its own data, electrical engineering group Siemens Energy is currently unable to deliver overhauled gas turbines to Nord Stream 1 in Canada due to Russian sanctions. In 2009, Siemens Energy delivered gas turbines to a compressor plant of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline in Russia. The turbine is currently being repaired in Montreal.

Who owns the pipeline?

Nord Stream AG, headquartered in Zug/Switzerland, is a 51 percent owned Russian-European consortium of the Russian state-owned Gazprom. 49 percent of the shares are owned by German, French and Dutch companies, including German groups Wintershall and E.ON.

The gas pipeline was commissioned in 2011. The ceremony was attended by former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin in person. The two politicians have been personally leading the project since 2005. Schroeder was also head of the consortium’s supervisory board.