The causes of the gas leaks in the Baltic Sea pipelines are still unclear. The Russian operator Gazprom has been reducing the pressure in the only undamaged line for several days. A spokesman now shares the background of the action. There is no danger to the safety of the tube.
The operator of the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2 releases part of the gas that is still contained in the intact pipe. It is correct that the pressure is being reduced, confirmed a spokesman for Nord Stream 2 AG in the Swiss canton of Zug. This is essentially a precautionary measure after the damage to the three remaining Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. So far, the pressure of 105 bar required for operation has been maintained.
The Danish energy authority reported on Twitter on Wednesday that Nord Stream 2 had informed them that the Russian state-owned company Gazprom was currently reducing the pressure in tube B - the undamaged one. In the process, gas is extracted that is used instead in the greater St. Petersburg area. Nord Stream 2 AG is a subsidiary of Gazprom.
According to the operator, gas began to be released from the pipeline on Tuesday. This process will take about eight days. Nord Stream 2 AG did not provide any information on how high the pressure should be in the future. The safety of the gas pipeline is therefore not endangered by the reduced pressure: "That's not a Coke can," said the Nord Stream 2 spokesman.
Last week, a total of four underwater leaks were found on the two Nord Stream pipelines, and enormous amounts of gas escaped for days. The EU and NATO assume sabotage.
