Canada decides to return parts of Russia’s “Nord Stream-1” natural gas pipeline

· by · in

International Business News  –  Canada has agreed to hand over a turbine for Russia’s Nord Stream-1 natural gas pipeline to Germany, Canadian Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in a statement on the 9th, according to Canada’s Globe and Mail. Ukraine’s energy ministry has tried to persuade Canada not to do so.

German Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Climate Protection Robert Habeck called on the Canadian government on the 6th, hoping that the Canadian side should return the “Nord Stream-1” natural gas pipeline components sent by Germany’s Siemens for repair. Habeck proposed “workarounds” for Canada’s sanctions against Russia: “They are not required to be handed over to Russia, but to Germany.” The German government spokesman confirmed on the 8th that the German side’s request has been “positive” by the Canadian side respond.

The “North Stream-1” natural gas pipeline starts from Vyborg, Russia in the east, and leads to Germany via the bottom of the Baltic Sea. It is the main pipeline for gas transmission from Russia to Europe. In mid-June, Gazprom said that due to Siemens’ failure to deliver components for repair to Russia in a timely manner, the company was forced to reduce the “North Stream-1” gas transmission volume. According to Siemens, the parts were sent to Montreal, Canada for repair, but could not be returned due to Canada’s sanctions against Russia.

At present, the gas transmission volume of North Stream-1 has been reduced by 60% compared with that in early June. Right now is an important period for German gas storage for the winter. The German government plans to increase natural gas storage to 90% of gas storage capacity by November, but now it is only 62.6%. “We need the Nord Stream-1 gas to fill the stocks, and these filled stocks are not only important for the German market, but also for the European market and the security of (gas) supply in Europe,” Habeck said.

Ukraine’s “European Truth Network” reported on the 7th that the Ukrainian Energy Ministry tried to persuade Canada not to send the turbines back to Russia in June. Once Canada takes this action, it will set a precedent for lifting sanctions against Russia.