Russian gas giant Gazprom says it will further reduce daily gas deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, a move that Germany's economy minister slammed as a pretext to sow uncertainty and drive up prices.
Gazprom said in a statement on June 15 that a further 33 percent cut would begin at 1:30 a.m. Moscow time on June 16. The company said the move was necessary to service a Siemens pumping unit at the Portovaya compressor station.
It was the second day in a row that state-owned Gazprom said it would reduce natural gas delivered through the pipeline.
The announcement on June 14 said Gazprom would cut deliveries to 100 million cubic meters at the Portovaya compressor station "due to untimely return of gas-pumping units from repair by Siemens."
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck called that move a "political decision and not a technically justifiable solution."
He said Germany was aware of the need to service the pipeline, but the first relevant works are not due to take place until autumn and do not warrant a reduction of the scale that Gazprom announced.
Habeck responded to Gazprom's announcement of a further cut on June 15 by saying its justification was an attempt to drive up the price.
"The Russian side's justification is simply a pretext. It is obviously their strategy to create unease and drive up prices," Habeck said in Berlin.
Currently, the shortfall in the gas supplies can be made up through procuring gas on the market, "albeit at high prices," Habeck added. There also are stored gas supplies to rely on, he said, meaning "security of supply is guaranteed."
Germany's energy network regulator said it was currently assessing the situation and potential impact of a further reduction in supplies.
"Security of supply is currently still guaranteed," a spokesperson for the regulator said.
Gazprom also cut gas exports to Italy, Italian energy firm Eni said on June 15, adding no explanation had been given for the reduction.
"Eni confirms that Gazprom has communicated a limited reduction in gas supplies for today, amounting to approximately 15 percent," a spokesman said. Eni is monitoring the situation, he added.
Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani said the reduction in gas had not created any critical issues.