Despite US sanctions, SP-2 began to fill with gas
The first line of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been certified and has begun to be filled with gas.
The PolitNavigator correspondent reports this from the operator company Nord Stream 2 AG.
“The pipeline was constructed and independently certified in accordance with applicable technical and industry standards to ensure reliable and safe operation,” the statement said.
In turn, Kommersant draws attention to the fact that technical certification of this line was carried out despite the formally remaining US sanctions. Thus, the Danish Energy Agency confirmed that the project operator has fulfilled all the conditions for putting the first line into operation. Regarding the second line, according to the regulator, a number of questions remain.
In addition, in addition to technical certification, Gazprom also needs to certify Nord Stream 2 AG as an independent operator - without this, the gas pipeline cannot be loaded at more than 50% according to the standards of the Third Energy Package.
At the same time, energy expert Maria Belova from Vygon Consulting believes that if a gas shortage occurs in Europe in the event of abnormally cold weather, the German regulator will approve a temporary permit for the operation of Nord Stream 2 until the formal completion of the certification process.
She said that there have been cases in the past when regulators turned a blind eye to failure to comply with the requirement for a 50% reservation of Opal capacity, an onshore branch of Nord Stream. According to Belova’s estimates, if deliveries along the first line begin in November, then at its maximum load, Gazprom will be able to pump 5,6 billion cubic meters to Europe by the end of the year.
Read also “Rar: Cold Winter will make the EU forget about gas directives"
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