Although Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that resuming Russian gas exports to Europe via Nord Stream is not currently on the agenda, newspapers have pointed to some signs that Moscow may be planning to restore the pipeline.
The first reports on the talks to restore Nord Stream 2 appeared in early March 2025.
According to German newspaper Bild, US President Donald Trump's special delegate, Richard Grenell, has held secret talks in Switzerland on restarting the pipeline. The content is said to be about the possibility of the US mediating to supply Russian gas to Germany. However, Mr Grenell has denied the above negotiations.
The Financial Times also reported on the US interest in restarting the pipeline.
IStories has found some other signs that Russia may be hoping to restart the Nord Stream project.
First sign: Russian company pipeline Coatings and technologies, which was involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2 (specializing in concreting pipes to be installed on the seabed), appears to be preparing for a major order.
A source close to Gazprom's board said the company has begun to buy back patents related to pipeline processing technology for the Nord Stream pipeline.
"pipe concreting technology originates from the West. However, many technical details have been registered for patents in Russia. Previously, these patents belonged to many different experts, but the company is actively buying them back to prepare for a potential order and avoid having to pay royalties if this order comes true," said an IStories source.
Second sign: The Association of Russian Steel Pipe Manufacturers is taking unusual moves. According to the association's website, it supports Gazprom's programs to provide domestically produced steel pipes. Recently, the association discussed tubes for installation at the seabed.
"Given Gazprom's current situation, no major project requires steel pipes with these technical characteristics," a source close to Gazprom said.
Oil and gas market expert Mikhail Krutikhin also confirmed: "Currently, Gazprom does not have any major projects related to the placement of pipelines under the sea".
Third sign: Tube maintenance and conservation. In January 2025, the operator of the Nord Stream 2 AG pipeline received a license from the Danish Energy Agency to carry out conservation work on the damaged pipeline section.
Officially, this work is to pump seawater out of damaged pipes and install blocking devices. This could help the pipeline restoration go faster if a decision is made. However, the Danish government explained the decision was for environmental reasons.
An IStories source asked: "For more than two years, the Danish government has not taken any measures to destroy the pipelines. But now, Nord Stream 2 AG, which is facing the risk of bankruptcy, why is it looking for and obtaining a license to do this work? ".
