The Russian energy company Gazprom has suspended gas deliveries to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline indefinitely, saying it had discovered issues with a key piece of equipment. The move will hasten the advance of Europe’s looming energy crisis. 

Nord Stream 1 gas supplies suspended indefinitely

Supplies of gas through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline were shut off at short notice for repairs last week, and were scheduled to resume on Saturday morning. However, in a statement released via Telegram on Friday evening, the energy company said that “gas transportation to the Nord Stream gas pipeline has been completely halted until the complaints on the operation of the equipment have been eliminated.” 

The post, which was accompanied by a picture of cables covered in a brown fluid, explained that it had identified “malfunctions” on a turbine along the pipeline, and that the pipeline would not work until these were fixed. 

Russia and Europe continue to fight gas war

The announcement came shortly after G7 nations agreed to implement a price cap on Russian oil exports, a move designed to throttle one of the Kremlin’s vital income sources as it continues to wage a war in Ukraine. 

Germany has previously accused the Russian government of using energy as a “weapon”. This was suggested again on Friday when the Federal Network Agency said in its daily gas situation report that the “defects alleged by the Russian side are not a technical reason for the halt of operations.” Russia, on the other hand, continues to blame western sanctions for disrupting routine maintenance work on the pipeline. 

Last week, Germany announced that it was nearing its winter gas storage targets, and so some analysts have suggested that this latest shutdown is a last-ditch Russian attempt to exert pressure on the bloc. The Federal Network Agency has emphasised that Germany’s gas supply is guaranteed, but added that the situation was tense and savings would continue to have to be made.