Russian officials reported later that some gas flow had been established using a back-up pipeline.
A ministry spokesman said the blast today destroyed a 30-meter section of the pipeline and stopped the flow of gas to Europe.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion. No casualties have been reported.
(AFP, Reuters, Interfax)
Russia And Global Energy Security
ENERGY SECURITY is increasingly moving to the top of the EU's agenda in its dealings the outside world. A recent report identifies the European Union's main energy objectives as not just securing gas and oil deliveries from Russia, but also ensuring that it has reliable alternative sources, including in Central Asia. Nonetheless, EU officials say relations with Russia take center-stage in their thinking....(more)
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