On Tuesday, European nations searched for mysterious leaks in two Russian gas pipelines that run beneath the Baltic Sea close to Sweden and Denmark. These pipelines have been at the center of an energy crisis since Russia invaded Ukraine. Soon after a leak on the neighboring Nord Stream 2 pipelines were detected and caused Denmark to prohibit ships in a five-nautical mile radius, Sweden’s Maritime Authority issued a warning regarding two leaks in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Both pipelines have blocked focal points in an intensifying energy conflict between Moscow and Europe that has devastated significant world markets and driven up the price of gas.
What is the story?
When leaks were discovered during the controversy over the Ukraine war, neither pipeline was flowing gas to Europe, but both still had gas under pressure. Any attempt to commence or resume either pipeline for commercial enterprises will be hampered by the events. Dan Jorgensen, the environment minister for Denmark, stated in a written statement that one of the two gas pipelines connecting Russia and Denmark, known as Nord Stream 2, experienced a leak yesterday. Despite not being in use, the pipelines still carry natural gas, which is currently leaking. Officials have now been alerted that Nord Stream 1, which is also not in service but carries gas, has experienced two further leaks, he continued.
Russia reduced fuel supplies to Europe via Nord Stream 1 until halting deliveries in August, attributing technical issues to western sanctions. Politicians in Europe said that was an excuse for cutting off gas supplies. Although recently finished, the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline was not yet used. Germany canceled the deal to provide gas through the pipeline days before Russia moved soldiers into Ukraine in February.
