Denmark declares energy emergency after mystery gas leaks
Copenhagen, Sep 27 (EFE).- Denmark declared an energy emergency on Tuesday following unexplained leaks in two Russian gas pipelines running under the Baltic Sea.
“Pipe ruptures occur rarely, so we see reason to increase the emergency level as a result of the events of the last day. We want to ensure close monitoring of critical infrastructure to reinforce security of supply,” Denmark’s directorate-general for energy said in a statement.
The move follows the rupture of three Nord Stream offshore pipelines, causing leaks in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Nord Stream AG said on Tuesday the damage of the three offshore pipelines in one day was “unprecedented,” adding it was not able to say when they would be restored.
“The damage that occurred simultaneously to three offshore pipeline strings of the Nord Stream infrastructure on the same day is unprecedented. It is not yet possible to estimate the timing of the restoration of the gas transport infrastructure,” the Swiss consortium which operates Nord Stream pipelines 1 and 2 said.
On Monday, leaks were detected on two strings of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline northeast of the Danish island of Bornholm after the operator reported a drop in pressure.
“Tonight, the dispatchers of the Nord Stream 1 control center registered a pressure drop on both strings of the gas pipeline. The reasons are being investigated,” Nord Stream AG said in a short statement on Monday.
Another leak was detected overnight in one of the two Nord Stream 2 strings southeast of Bornholm.
Although the infrastructure was not operational due to a German blockade imposed before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the string was filled with gas and was therefore under pressure.
The Kremlin said it was “alarmed” by the rupture of the three pipelines.
“Until we have the results of the investigation, we cannot rule out anything,” the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said in his daily press conference on Tuesday.
Danish authorities have issued an order asking ships to steer clear of a five nautical mile radius southeast off Bornholm following the leaks. EFE
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