Europe on edge as Nord Stream Russian gas link enters shutdown

Shutting of Nord Stream 1 for annual maintenance may be extended, fears EU

The biggest single pipeline carrying Russian gas to Germany began annual maintenance on Monday, with flows expected to stop for 10 days, but governments, markets and companies are worried the shutdown might be extended because of the war in Ukraine.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline transports 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) a year of gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Maintenance lasts from July 11 to 21.

Operator Nord Stream AG confirmed the shutdown started as planned at 0600 CET (9:30 am IST) and that gas flows would drop to zero a few hours later.

Last month, Russia cut flows