About Russia's attempts to "recapture" billions of dollars using Nord Stream 2 in the country

Marcel Salikhov, President of the Institute for Energy and Finance, commented to the Daily Storm Internet publication on Gazprom's decision to use the capacities of the Nord Stream 2 project to develop gas supply to northwestern Russia.

Gazprom announced the decision to use the capacities of the Nord Stream 2 project to develop gas supply to the north-west of Russia. If Germany wants to certify the pipeline, it will be possible to use only one line with 100% loading, the company explained.

Marcel Salikhov, head of the Economic department at the Institute for Energy and Finance, noted that Nord Stream 2 was not originally designed to supply fuel, for example, to consumers in the Leningrad Region. The expert also recalled that the gas through the main pipeline is under high pressure.

“Accordingly, we need to build additional infrastructure to reduce pressure and already build separate gas pipelines for high pressure. This is not a political step, but a rational decision to use the already built infrastructure in order to at least partially recoup the costs incurred,” Salikhov explained.

According to him, in the current situation, Gazprom is likely to build gas distribution stations and low-pressure gas pipelines to deliver fuel to consumers in the North-West region. “Of course, there will not be a huge demand for such volumes, but this is at least something,” the analyst believes.