Gazprom announces record-breaking deliveries through Nord Stream
For three consecutive days, Gazprom has been reaching new records in volumes of gas transported through the Nord Stream pipeline, at a level of 165.5 million cubic meters per day, according to a statement from the company, Prime.ru reports.
"Under the conditions of an increased demand for gas in Europe, Gazprom, for three consecutive days – January 4, 5 and 6, has been reaching new record volumes of gas sent through the Nord Stream pipeline, at 165.2 million cubic meters per day," the statement reads.
"Since the beginning of 2017, the daily volume of gas exports through the pipeline has increased. On January 1, it reached 160.75 million cubic meters per day for the first time. On January 2, 3 and 4, this figure increased daily. Deliveries amounted to 161, 163.1, and 165.2 million cubic meters per day respectively," the company reported.
In late October, the European Commission allowed Gazprom to increase the permitted capacity of gas through the OPAL pipeline, which connects Nord Stream with the gas pipeline system in Central and Western Europe. The Russian gas monopolist was previously only allowed to use 50% of the pipeline’s capacity.
The EU's decision has allowed the Russian company to gain access to another 32% of the pipe’s capacity and thereby increase exports through this channel, bypassing Ukraine, by more than 9 billion cubic meters of gas.
Andriy Kobolyev, CEO of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, said that Gazprom's access to OPAL may reduce Ukraine’s transit revenue from gas by $290 million to $425 million. It seems that the European Union Court suspended the decision on Gazprom’s access to 80% of the OPAL pipeline’s capacity.
The Polish government appealed to the European Court in opposition to the decision of the European Commission on allowing the Russian company access to the OPAL pipeline.