Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Russian Gazprom energy company blames German industry group Siemens for reduced flow of natural gas through Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
The company stressed that it was awaiting the return of a gas turbine needed for operation of the pipeline, stressing that Siemens has not delivered it, according to Reuters reporting on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Siemens noted that Gazprom has to supply customs documents for the return of the gas turbine from servicing in Canada.
Russia recently lowered gas flow through Nord Stream 1 to 20% of capacity, pointing to the turbine issue as the reason, while the EU accused Russia of blackmailing the bloc.
Vitaly Markelov, deputy CEO of Gazprom, noted for state-owned news channel Russia-24 “we had counted on receiving one repaired engine from Siemens as far back as May, but as of today we haven’t got this engine.”
He added that more turbines need repairs, but “Siemens does not provide work to solve these problems.”
At the same time, Siemens stressed in a statement on Wednesday that it can provide maintenance services, reminding that the Canadian government previously approved transport of turbines to Germany.
It added that Gazprom’s damage reports for gas turbines have not arrived and noted “therefore, we have to assume that the turbines are operating normally.”
Siemens pointed out that German authorities provided it with documents required for exporting the turbine in question to Russia.
Siemens blames Gazprom
“What is missing, however, are the customs documents for import to Russia… Gazprom, as the customer, is required to provide those,” the company concluded.
The gas turbine in question is to be installed at Gazprom’s Portovaya compressor station that pumps gas through the pipeline under the Baltic Sea and the slump in supply is hindering efforts of EU member states dependent on Russian gas imports to fill their gas storages in preparation for the heating season.
Moscow stressed that the delay is one of the examples of EU sanctions backfiring, adding that Russia is a reliable supplier of oil and natural gas.
Western countries including EU member states imposed sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine.
