Gazprom says it has received documents for Siemens turbine
Russia's Gazprom said on July 25 it had received documents from Canadian authorities necessary for the return to Russia of a Siemens turbine needed for the Nord Stream 1, but said "they do not remove previously identified risks and raise additional questions."
Gazprom said several times before that it needed the documents confirming the exemption from EU and Canadian sanctions for the return of the turbine, which had been sent off to Canada for repairs. The Moscow-based Kommersant newspaper reported on July 24 that Siemens had provided Gazprom with an export licence from Canada, enabling the delivery back to Russia. But the newspaper said that paperwork delays meant the turbine had missed a ferry from Germany to Helsinki on July 23.
"There are still open questions from Gazprom regarding EU and UK sanctions, the resolution of which is important for the delivery of the engine to Russia and the urgent overhaul of other gas turbine engines for the Portovaya compressor station," Gazprom said on its Telegram channel.
The Portovaya station handles gas flow through Nord Stream 1, which is currently running at only 30-40% of its 55bn m3/year capacity, as was the case before the pipeline shut down for a 10-day maintenance period on July 11. Gazprom has blamed the delay in the turbine's return for the restriction in capacity.
"In these circumstances, Gazprom once again asked Siemens for immediate support in providing the necessary documents and clarifications to resolve the remaining open issues," the Russian company said in its latest message.