 Part of the Nord Stream pipeline in Lubmin, Germany (photo: AFP) |
Nord Stream AG, the operator of the Nord Stream pipeline, confirmed that gas has started to flow at reduced levels of only 30% of the maximum capacity.
German gas pipeline operators OPAL and NEL said that gas flow was recorded at 7 am (Moscow time) on Thursday at receiving point in Greifswald.
Earlier, DPA news agency quoted a representative of Nord Stream AG as saying that Russian gas began to flow to Germany through the Nord Stream pipeline on Thursday.
Since mid-June, the Nord Stream pipeline has operated at only 40% of its capacity, or about 67 million cubic meters per day. The reason is that the gas turbines of Siemens Energy Company were not delivered in time after repairs due to Canada's sanctions against Russia.
Gazprom has cut flows to Germany via Nord Stream 1 by 60% in recent weeks, citing the absence of a Siemens gas turbine which was being repaired in Canada.