A possibility to launch an undamaged Nord Stream 2 string

Alexey Belogoryev, Deputy Principal Director on Energy Studies of the Institute for Energy and Finance, commented to Svobodnaya Pressa on the prospects for certification and launch of the remaining operational line of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

“When technical problems with Nord Stream only began to arise, starting in June, Russia’s proposals were repeatedly voiced at various levels to use Nord Stream 2 to cover the resulting volume of gas shortages. But they did not find understanding in Germany,” he points out.

However, according to Alexey Belogoryev, from the point of view of the domestic political situation in Germany, he does not see any possibility for the certification of Nord Stream 2, even if the most severe scenarios of a shortage of “blue fuel” in this country are implemented.

“Let's say it will be an abnormally cold winter, it will not be possible to reduce consumption at the pace that we would like, or there will be interruptions in the supply of liquefied natural gas due to rising demand in Asia. There are many uncertainties here that could hit Germany pretty hard in terms of covering winter demand. But even under these conditions, I don’t think that for political reasons it will be possible,” the source of the Free Press believes.