Nord Stream Closed for Maintenance

The Nord Stream pipeline has closed for maintenance today to facilitate works at Russian Gazprom's connecting pipeline. The scheduled maintenance will end on Sunday.

"From 13 December, 6 am CET to 15 December, 6 pm CET, the gas flow through the Nord Stream Pipeline will be temporarily suspended due to planned maintenance works at Gazprom's connecting pipeline," a statement for the Nord Stream consortium has said.

"During the shutdown time, Nord Stream will also carry out maintenance activities at the installations on the German landfall."

The consortium says that the maintenance is essential in the first year of operations to ensure the safety and reliability of the pipeline. The consortium says that all contracted gas delivery volumes will be met.

Last week, the pipeline was shut down for a short time for what a spokesperson termed as "a planned technical procedure." 

The Nord Stream pipeline currently supplies an annual flow of 27.5 billion cubic metres, which will double to 55 billion cubic metres next year, over two 1,224-kilometre offshore pipelines.

Gazprom holds the majority stake in the project at 51 per cent, with Wintershall Holding and E.ON holding 15.5 per cent each, and Gasunie and GDF SUEZ holding 9 per cent each.