Nord Stream 2: myths and facts

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Opponents of the Baltic sea pipeline believe that the EU is doing with her from Moscow. In Russia it is often claimed, Germany would freeze to death without Russian Gas from the pipeline “”. But what do the facts say?

The EU member States have approved a draft resolution, with the help of the guidelines and regulations of the third Energy package, the EU should also be used on pipelines from third countries, be extended – this also applies to Nord Stream 2. It is expected that the European Parliament decides on the Amendments in the April final.

The third energy package provides the separation of network operation from supply and generation. To ensure competition and consumer rights. Not, it was planned that the Nord Stream AG is building the Baltic sea pipeline from Russia to Germany only, but also operates. Since the company belongs to the Russian state-controlled company Gazprom, is you now need to create a independent operator.

Nord Stream will be stopped?

The decision template is based on a German-French compromise proposal. Its core consists in the fact that the Changes to the third energy block package Nord Stream 2, even if they exacerbate the conditions of Pipelines from third countries. The EU directives are to apply in the case of Nord Stream 2 but only for the section that runs in the German territorial waters of the Baltic sea. Because Brussels cannot extend its provisions to areas outside the EU.

The German Federal network Agency to ensure the implementation of the regulations. Berlin and Moscow are close to an intergovernmental agreement. Thus, the laying of the Pipeline through the Baltic sea is unstoppable at the legislative level in the EU.

For a stop, even Donald Trump could. The US President has repeatedly threatened sanctions against Western firms that are involved in the project. From his point of view, it will make Germany dependent on Russian energy.

A ship moved in the Baltic sea off the island of pipes and all claims for the Pipeline, Nord Stream 2

Significantly larger quantities of supply from Russia?

The opponents of Nord Stream 2 project argue that the Pipeline will make the EU of energy resources from Russia and, therefore, the policy of the Kremlin-dependent. You assume that the new line will lead to a significant increase in Gazprom’s supplies. But this is not so.

Moscow with Nord Stream 2 and South Stream, a Pipeline under the Black sea to Turkey, at the same time two large projects in Europe. The idea of the two Pipelines is to minimize the transit of gas through Ukraine, or to cease altogether. Gazprom wants to take the lines up to the end of 2019 in operation, because of the ten-year gas contract with Kiev.

It is, therefore, not additional amounts, but only a redirection of existing volumes to new transport routes. A significant increase in Russian Gas supplies would only emerge when larger quantities would continue to be pumped through Ukraine, which many are calling for the EU in the interests of Ukraine.

More Gas for Germany alone?

About Nord Stream 2 Gas to flow from Siberia directly to Germany. But the Gas is not intended for the German market. Proof of this is the European Gas-connection line (EUGAL), which connects to Nord Stream 2 is. You will be routed through East Germany, and in the dispute over the Gazprom project is often forgotten.

On the Baltic sea coast near Greifswald Nord Stream 2. The line with two trains and a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of Gas per year, is connected with the two strands of EUGAL Pipeline. This line is designed to have a total capacity of 51 billion cubic metres, and leads in the Czech Republic. Thus, Germany is approximately 90 percent of the gas from Nord Stream 2 is only a transit area. The rest of the four billion cubic meters of Gas from Nord Stream 2 should be on the NEL-Pipeline in the gas storage facility in Rehden in North Germany.

The Czechs did not need so much Gas. The majority continues to flow to the Austrian hub of Baumgarten. There the Russian Gas is already supplied through the Ukraine. Of Baumgarten, the Gas is pumped mainly to the South. The most important receiver of the future gas from the EUGAL Pipeline is, therefore, not Germany, but Austria and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, but especially Italy, to Germany, the largest buyer of Russian gas in the EU.

The Germans freeze to death without Nord Stream 2?

In Russian social networks, it is often said that Germany would freeze to death without Nord Stream 2. It is heated in Germany, only about half of the apartments and houses with Gas. The other half uses heating oil and other energy sources. Of those apartments and houses that are heated with Gas, uses statistically, less than half of Russian Gas.

Consequently, less than a quarter of the German flats and houses of Russian Gas depends in a statistical way. Therefore, there can be no question that Germany could freeze to death without Nord Stream 2. Furthermore, Germany has many other import routes for natural gas.

The Gas from the Nord Stream-2 Pipeline to be distributed through the Pipeline EUGAL. But it is not ready yet.

Operation of the Pipelines by the end of 2019 ready?

The lack of attention to the construction of EUGAL Pipeline has led to the false assumption that Nord Stream 2 will be the end of 2019, ready for operation. Until then, best will be if the laying of Nord Stream 2 through the Baltic sea to be completed.

However, the EUGAL Pipeline at this time will be only half done. According to the time schedule of the first strand to be laid in the Czech Republic until the end of 2019. The entire project should be completed by the end of 2020.

If one takes into account that, for technical reasons, any new Pipeline can be filled over a number of months, only gradually with Gas, then the System, Nord Stream 2 and EUGAL will be at the earliest in the spring of 2021 in full operation. Until then, Gazprom will still have to pump a significant portion of its exports to the EU through Ukraine. That’s why need to some of the Moscow and Kiev before the end of 2019 on the terms and conditions for the continuation of transit through Ukraine.