Denmark has placed its energy infrastructure on alert, adding that it was “too early” to know the causes of these very rare incidents.
Le Monde
Controversial and out of service because of the war in Ukraine, the Nordstream gas pipelines connecting Russia to Germany were both suddenly affected by unexplained leaks in the Baltic Sea, the Danish and Swedish authorities announced Tuesday, September 27, arousing suspicion of sabotage.
In the aftermath of the announcement of a leak in the North Stream 2 parallel gas pipeline, the North Stream 1 gas pipeline connecting Russia to Germany is in turn affected by two very rare gas leaks in the Baltic Sea. Copenhagen immediately placed on alert its energy infrastructure, while believing that it was “too early” to express themselves on the causes of these simultaneous incidents.
Geopolitical showdown objects in recent months, the two pipelines exploited by a consortium dependent on the Russian giant Gazprom are not operational because of the consequences of the war in Ukraine. But both were still filled with gas.
The Danish authorities confirmed Tuesday morning “two other leaks in the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which is not operational either, but which contains gas,” said the Danish climate and energy minister, Dan Jorgensen – Leaks confirmed by a spokesperson for the Swedish maritime authority.
Leaks on North Stream 1 take place outside territorial waters but are for one in the exclusive economic zone of Denmark, the other in that of Sweden. The Danish authorities also noted the level of vigilance in the electricity and gas sector at the orange level, the second highest.
“Extremely rare” leaks ”
” The Gase leaks are extremely rare and we therefore see a reason to increase the level of vigilance following the incidents we attended in the last twenty-four hours, “said Danish agency director in a statement energy, Kristoffer Böttzauw, Promising “in -depth monitoring of Critical Infrastructure in Denmark”. Concrete measures to increase the safety of factories and facilities will have to be implemented by companies in the sector.
Built in parallel with the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, the North Stream 2 pipeline was intended to double the import capacity of Russian gas into Germany. But its imminent commissioning has been suspended, in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow.
The German authorities did not comment immediately. But, according to a source close to the German government, quoted by the German daily Tagesspiegel “everything speaks against a coincidence”. “We cannot imagine a scenario that is not a targeted attack,” insisted this source.
As for the flight found the day before on Nord Stream 2, security measures were taken around the place of leaks. Navigation within a radius of five nautical miles (approximately 9 kilometers), as well as their overview within a radius of one kilometer are prohibited.
According to the authorities, incidents are without consequence for the safety or health of residents of the neighboring Danish Islands of Bornholm and Christianso. In addition, the country’s energy supply is not affected. Monday evening, the operator of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines reported a drop in unexplained pressure in the first gas pipeline, after the detection of a leak in the second.
