Nord Stream
Nord Stream (German-English mixed expression; German: Nord and English: Stream, literally 'North Stream'; Russian: Северный поток, Severny potok) is a network of offshore natural gas pipelines in Europe which run under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. It comprises two separate projects, Nord Stream 1 and 2. Both pipelines each comprise two pipes, NS1 A and B as well as NS2 A and B, for a total of 4 physical pipes. Both pipelines land in Lubmin, Germany.
- Nord Stream 1 (NS1) runs from Vyborg, in northwestern Russia near Finland, and entered service in 2011.[1] It is operated by Nord Stream AG.
- Nord Stream 2 (NS2) runs from Ust-Luga in northwestern Russia near Estonia. The pipeline was built in order to increase gas exports towards Europe, aiming to double annual capacity. The project was completed in 2021, but has not yet entered service.
2022 Gas leaks
On September 26, 2022, a severe drop in pressure in both NS1 and NS2 was associated with a rupture in both pipes due to sabotage. None of the four pipes are currently operational, bringing the Nord Stream project to an effective standstill. In reaction to this, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated that "... it’s a tremendous opportunity to once and for all remove the dependence on Russian energy and thus to take away from Vladimir Putin the weaponization of energy as a means of advancing his imperial designs. ..."
- "Controversial Project Launched : Merkel and Medvedev Open Baltic Gas Pipeline". Der Spiegel. 2011-11-08. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 2022-10-13.