New Delhi: Russia is ready to start gas supplies to Europe over the single remaining string of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at the Russian Energy Week forum.
“Its capacity is 27.5 bln cubic meters per year, about 8% of total gas imports to Europe. Russia is ready for the start of such supplies. The ball is on the European Union’s side, as the saying is. We do not limit anyone, including readiness to supply extra volumes during the winter season,” the President said.
Russia is prevented from participating in the investigation of gas pipeline incidents, Putin said. “I regret saying we are not allowed to survey [the remaining] string but the pressure is maintained in it,” he noted. “Pressure is kept, meaning that it is in the operable condition, to all appearance,” the President said.
Putin said that if checks prove the Nord Stream 2 link is safe to operate, Russia stands ready to use the pipeline to pump gas to Europe, adding its capacity stands at 27 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has never brought natural gas to Europe because Germany prevented the flows from ever starting just before Russia launched military action in Ukraine on February 24.
(Vinayak)
