Nord Stream assessing pipeline damage amid talk of sabotage

Nord Stream AG has confirmed initial presumptions that the scale of pressure-drop on both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 suggests the likelihood of physical damage to the natural gas pipelines. The company is mobilizing resources for a survey to assess the damage in cooperation with relevant local authorities.

Physical inspection of the leak sites to determine a cause may not be possible for as long as 2 weeks due to the amount of natural gas still being expelled. 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, meanwhile, on Twitter termed the leaks sabotage while describing talks with Denmark’s Defense Minister. “Discussed the sabotage on the NorthStream pipelines with Defence Minister Morten Bødskov," he said. "We addressed the protection of critical infrastructure in NATO countries."

Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland concurred that information so far gathered on the gas leaks indicated acts of sabotage. The Norwegian government has heightened emergency preparedness regarding onshore and offshore installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf following reports of unidentified drones near oil and gas platforms.

Norway has replaced Russia as Europe’s primary gas supplier, meeting about 30% of European Union demand, according to Rystad Energy, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent supply disruptions.