MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. The supply of Russian gas through the Nord Stream gas pipeline has been completely stopped, repairs are starting today at the only remaining gas pumping unit at the Portovaya compressor station, Gazprom said in a statement.
"Supply via Nord Stream has been completely stopped, today scheduled preventive work is starting at the gas pumping unit," the statement said.
The physical flow of gas through Nord Stream at the reception point in Greifswald, Germany, has completely stopped since 04:00 Moscow time on Wednesday. Data from the Nord Stream operator, Nord Stream AG, also confirms the drop in gas pumping to zero.
Earlier, Gazprom reported that gas pumping through the Nord Stream would be stopped from 04:00 Moscow time on August 31 to 04:00 Moscow time on September 3.
Suspension of deliveries is necessary for maintenance and scheduled preventive work on the only gas compressor unit remaining in operation. Upon completion of the work and in the absence of technical malfunctions of the equipment, gas supplies will be restored to the level of 33 million cubic meters per day, Gazprom reported.
The Nord Stream gas pipeline, which supplies gas from Russia to Europe, has been operating at about 20% of its maximum capacity since July 27 due to the shutdown of several gas turbines. One of them, made in Canada by Siemens Energy, was sent to Montreal for repairs. Due to Ottawa’s sanctions against Russia, the manufacturer initially refused to return the repaired turbine to Germany, but after numerous requests from Berlin, the company decided to do it. On July 25, Gazprom announced the forced shutdown of another gas turbine engine at the Portovaya compressor station. Consequently, only one turbine remained in operation.