Pressure test
Gas flows in the Nord Stream pipeline (Nord Stream 1 to distinguish it from Nord Stream 2) increased late on July 19 for a short period of time as Russia tested pressure, Reuters reported.
Nord Stream AG - the operator of the Nord Stream pipeline - said that the gas flow increased due to testing the pressure according to technical requirements at the end of the maintenance period. Nord Stream has completely suspended gas transportation for annual maintenance from July 11 to 21.
Data from Nord Stream AG's website shows that Nord Stream pipeline traffic reached 23,681 kWh between 14:00 and 16:00 GMT on July 19. A similar surge in flow occurred two hours earlier, when the flow jumped from 0 to 27,137 kwh/h before falling back to 0.
The hourly flow through Nord Stream - the main gas pipeline supplying Russian gas to Germany and Europe - has been at zero since July 11, the day the maintenance began.
The periodic maintenance of Russia's largest gas pipeline to Germany is expected to end at 04:00 GMT on July 21. Nord Stream carries 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year under the Baltic Sea.
Data for 2020 and 2021 shows that gas flows through Nord Stream have resumed on time after the end of maintenance period.
But this year, European governments and businesses are concerned that Nord Stream will not be restarted immediately if a repaired turbine sent back from Canada is not installed in time. In addition, Gazprom has sent letters to major customers informing them of the force majeure situation regarding gas supplies to Europe. Gazprom said it could not fulfill its obligations due to unusual incidents that occurred beyond its control.
Earlier, on July 19, two sources familiar with the export plans told Reuters that Russian gas flows through the Nord Stream pipeline were expected to be restarted on schedule on July 21, but with a lower capacity of about 160 million cubic meters of gas per day.
EU asks countries to cut gas demand
Europe has prepared for the possibility of gas flowing through the Nord Stream pipeline not continuing or flowing at 40% of capacity - the level implemented on June 14, when Russia blamed the delay in turbine repair.
If Nord Stream stops operating, it will disrupt Europe's gas reserve replenishment plans and lead to a gas crisis.
The EU is expected to launch an emergency plan to reduce gas demand within a few months on July 20, warning countries that if they do not cut deeply, they could face fuel difficulties in the winter if Russia cuts off supply.
Europe is racing to fill its gas reserves before the winter and build a supply buffer zone in case Moscow further limits supply in retaliation for Europe's support for Ukraine in the war with Russia. Russia's Gazprom has suspended deliveries to several EU countries.
The draft EU plan proposes voluntary targets for countries to cut gas demand over the next 8 months. However, this target could also become mandatory in case of a supply emergency.
EU officials say the target will be to cut gas use by 10-15%.
The proposal - which could change before it is announced - will require approval from EU countries. There have been protests from some countries, such as Poland. "We are against imposing mandatory cut-off targets," Polish Climate Minister Anna Moskwa said last week. Poland has filled its gas reserves up to 98% after Russia stopped supplying gas to the country in April.
However, EU officials say it is important to act now, rather than waiting to react if Russia cuts off supply.
"We believe a disruption is entirely possible and it is especially likely if we do not act and leave ourselves vulnerable," an EU official said. "If we wait, that means we will have to dance to Russian music."
The draft says that cutting all of Russian gas, combined with the cold winter, could cause the EU's average GDP to fall by about 0.9-1.5% if countries are not prepared.
The draft proposes measures to limit gas use, including governments deciding in order they will force industries to close in case of a supply emergency.
