Thursday October 21, 2021
When Nord Stream 2 is released
Putin promises swift gas deliveries
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been completed. Russian gas does not yet flow through the pipes to Germany. Kremlin boss Putin promises a quick start-up – as soon as the Federal Network Agency gives the green light.
In the event of an operating license for the controversial Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2, Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin has assured rapid delivery of gas. It could start the next day, said the president at a discussion forum in the city of Sochi on the Black Sea. The filling of the second line with gas will be completed in mid to late December. The first tube has already been filled with gas.
The Federal Network Agency has until the beginning of January to decide on an operating permit for the pipes, which are supposed to deliver up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Germany annually. At the beginning of October the authorities had already announced that “it cannot be ruled out that a section of the connecting line will soon be put into operation”. In view of the gas crisis in Europe, Putin had recently advertised several times for Nord Stream 2 to be launched quickly.
Gas prices have reached record levels in Europe. Gazprom’s critics suspect that the company is not reacting to the increased European demand in order to force the rapid commissioning of Pipeline 2. The Russian side had denied such allegations.
Nord Stream 2 is not a project of the Russian energy giant Gazprom, five European companies are involved, Putin said. Russia could supply the European market with more gas, said the Kremlin chief. “Yes, that is possible.” Once again he blamed the EU for the high prices. Gas, which Gazprom supplies under long-term contracts, is four times cheaper than on the spot market.