According to The New York Times, approximately $500 million is needed to repair the Nord Stream underwater gas pipeline damaged by a series of malicious explosions last September. The media agency cited a person knowledgeable about the works.
Nord Stream AG, the operator of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, began assessing the cost of damaged gas pipelines in late December. Russian experts are also trying to determine when it will finally be possible to restore the gas supply through pipelines. The most important question is how long these blown pipes will be able to withstand prolonged contact with seawater.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak recently mentioned the possibility of repairing gas pipelines. He noted that the main thing, in this case, is money and time. He did not specify exactly the sum or the deadline. However, he believes that at the moment it is impossible to do so.
As a reminder, the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage occurred in late September 2022. Back then, there were a series of clandestine bombings and subsequent underwater gas leaks. Gazprom stressed that both of the strings in the Nord Stream 1 system were damaged. Only one Nord Stream 2 string remains potentially intact. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that its launch is unlikely to take place.
Swedish investigators confirmed the act of sabotage. They found traces of explosives at the site of gas leaks. Nevertheless, the culprit of the explosion has not been found yet.
Some European politicians have immediately accused Russia. Others, on the contrary, are confident that the country has nothing to do with the explosion.
