Moscow After gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in the Baltic Sea were cut back, the Russian energy company Gazprom complained that the problems with a gas turbine returned to Europe from Canada continued to persist.
The turbine was brought from Canada to Germany and not directly to Russia without an agreement with Gazprom, said the deputy head of the state-owned company, Vitaly Markelov, on Friday on the Russian state television channel Rossiya-24.
Russia can now only accept the repaired turbine if there are guarantees from the EU and Great Britain that Western sanctions will not be applied. Markelov did not explain why the turbine cannot be directly accepted by the Russian side.
At the beginning of the week, Siemens Energy accused Russia of delaying the import of the component: “The transport of the turbine has been prepared and could start immediately,” the group announced on Monday. “What is missing, however, are the necessary customs documents for importing to Russia. This information can only be provided by the customer.”
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
And further: “At the moment we see no connection between the turbine and the gas throttling that has been carried out or announced.” The federal government accuses Russia of playing a power game with the turbine and of using gas as a means of exerting pressure against Western sanctions.
Gazprom wants to publish communications with Siemens Energy
Markelov said Gazprom wrote 10 letters to Siemens Energy, but only a quarter resolved the issues raised. Details were not given, but the company announced the publication of part of the communication with Siemens Energy. At the moment, only one of six turbines is in use in the gas compression station, which is important for Nord Stream 1, said Markelow.
“At this point in time we see no connection between the turbine and the implemented or announced gas throttling.” Statement Siemens Energy
According to the television report, another turbine is being prepared for repairs in Canada. There are also three turbines in the compressor station that should be repaired on site by Siemens experts.
The Kremlin had said the day before that Russia was hoping for a speedy return of the turbine and its installation. According to Gazprom, the turbine is important in order to build up the necessary pressure to pump the gas through.
Gazprom has repeatedly accused its contractual partner Siemens Energy of not having sent the necessary documents and information to repair the machine. Siemens Energy also rejected these allegations.
The Russian gas company reduced deliveries through Nord Stream 1 to 20 percent of maximum capacity on Wednesday because, according to the company, another turbine had to be serviced. Technical safety regulations were given as reasons.
Comment: Siemens Energy’s counterattack on Gazprom’s turbine saga was overdue
