by the Lookout for the Saker blog
Reports came in late yesterday, (as reported in the German media) of a dramatic depressurisation of Nord Stream 2 (NS2), an undersea gas line connecting Russia and Germany. This was followed later by news that Nord Stream 1 (NS1) has also depressurised. The pressure in NS2 plummeted from 105 bars1 to just 7 bars. Leaking gas bubbles into the Baltic Sea have been seen near the Danish island of Bornholm. NS1 is also leaking gas bubbles in two different places, one in Swedish economic zone and one in Danish economic zone. Danish air force aircraft have visually confirmed the NS2 leakages. https://www.berlingske.dk/samfund/trykket-er-faldet-til-nul-i-nord-stream-1-efterforskning-indledt
This comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and severe energy crisis in Europe, owing to the conflict in Ukraine and also the repercussions of the imposition of sanctions against by the EU.
Both pipelines are operated by a consortium majority-owned by Russian gas giant Gazprom. Neither NS2 and NS1 were in service, although filled with gas. Operation of NS1 was suspended last month by Gazprom, citing technical maintenance & safety issues. NS1 had been in service since 2011.
What is known so far:
- Three strands of the two Nord Stream gas pipelines system have been damaged and all supplies have stopped.
- WELT has suggested that a leak in the recently built pipeline is most likely the result of sabotage.
- The NS2 leaks are in relatively shallow waters (~50-80m depth) of the Baltic Sea, outside the Danish territorial waters. Navigational sea & air warnings & exclusions zones have been imposed by Denmark & Sweden. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/sweden-issues-warning-two-gas-leaks-nord-stream-1-pipeline-2022-09-27/
- German federal authorities on pressure drops of Nord Stream pipelines: “Our imagination no longer yields a scenario that is not a targeted attack.” https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/druckabfall-in-beiden-leitungen-gemeldet-nord-stream-pipelines-moglicherweise-durch-anschlage-beschadigt-8687140.html
- Operator Nord Stream AG declared ‘Unprecedented’ damage.
Image 1: Approximate locations of leaks (white circles – ‘NW’ to the right of Bornholm). Source: Danish Maritime Authority
To note
1. German protests
Thousands of people in various German cities have recently protested Olaf Scholz’s policy and the huge increase in overall energy, but particularly gas prices. The protesters also demanded an end to sanctions on Russia and called for the operational restart of NS2 as well.
2. Washington
Washington’s stance on the construction & operation of NS2 has been one of intense animosity and this has been the case for a long-time, long before the events of February 2022. (More on this later in the next sitrep).
- President Biden’s statement February 2022
Biden “If Russia invades…then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.”
Reporter: “But how will you do that, exactly, since…the project is in Germany’s control?”
Biden: “I promise you, we will be able to do that.”
NBC Video clip source: https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1490792461979078662
3. Speculation in Western media
German media Focus’ take on who is likely to have sabotaged the pipeline is rather capricious to say the least:
Polish branch of ‘Euro Pipe’
A new 900km pipeline “Baltic Pipe” will be opened today, a branch connecting from the Norway-Germany ‘“Europipe”. This branch bypasses Germany.
Water depth
Image 2: Profile of Baltic Sea seabed and pipeline route location
The approximate locations of the leaks are in the Bornholm Basin area (mean depth of 43m), closest to the island. The depth is shallow enough for specialised diving operations as well as the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles, (as was the case for the construction of both pipelines). Bathymetry map: https://www.io-warnemuende.de/profile-of-the-baltic-sea.html The shallow area of the Bornholm Strait separating the Arkona Basin from the Bornholm Basin has a maximum depth of 45 metres. [3]
Surveying and ordnance clearance
The first step to building an offshore pipeline is to conduct extensive surveys of the seabed. In the case of NS2, this involved detailed seabed survey of areas potentially harmful to the building and operation of a pipeline. This was certainly the case for NS1 and NS2, especially in areas that were used to dump explosives and chemicals.
The Baltic Sea was the scene of maritime battles, laying of mines during WW2. Additionally, areas of it were used as a dumping ground for obsolete, damaged, or expired munitions & chemicals. This was widely carried out following the end of both world wars. “It is estimated that the Baltic Sea alone has around 50,000 tonnes of chemical munitions, 500,000 tonnes of conventional weapons, and 10,000 wrecks on its seabed.” If you look at Image 1 of the locations of the leaks, there is a box with red lines. It is the red box in the image below and neither NS1 nor NS2 went through this.
Pipeline projects are extremely complex & long-term intensive activities: 1. negotiations, 2. route planning & surveys, 3. negotiations for permits with countries, detailed survey & work clearing the route of hazards. It is well-known that there is ordnance that pose a threat to pipeline installation, hence just for NS1 in one area: https://www.nord-stream.com/press-info/press-releases/nord-stream-preparing-for-munitions-clearance-366/
NS1: “Engineering analysis based on the effects of underwater explosion has shown that a mine free “security corridor” 25 metres either side of the pipeline is required to ensure its integrity.
Baltic Sea states’ navies have routinely carried out mine /ordnance clearing to ensure safety, especially in the vicinity of maritime infrastructure.
Further detailed commentary and background information will be provided in another article.
Footnote
1. Reuters has stated 300 bars.
2. Chemical munition dump sites in the Baltic Sea (courtesy of Jacek Bełdowski, CHEMSEA project 2013). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967064515000284
3. ESPOO report, Chapter 8
Biden did threaten the pipeline. They do have a lot to gain. Here is Gonzalo Lira’s take on this:
https://youtu.be/u6IIwltTM4Q
Victoria Nuland also threatened the NS1 and NS2 pipelines this January 2022 : timestamp 15:50 minutes
https://www.trunews.com/stream/mysterious-explosions-rip-apart-russia-s-nord-stream-pipelines
And the Polish minister is an isreallyhell Firster and married to Zionist Anne APPLEBAUM said:
“Thank you USA”.
Yeap. I know who did this nefarious act.
Sabotage by NATO naval intelligence and special forces? If they are going to go this route, russia can start zapping commercial satellites of NATO nations. West has more to lose.
Sept 27, last day of referendum in Donbass and other territories under Russian control. Launching of the baltic pipe. For years, kiev, US, Poland and others have been calling to stop using NS1 and NS2. Coincidences abound.
Smells like a dead fish…..did the Germans get caught cheating. NS1 was down for repair where’d all the gas come from. NS2 has been sanctioned closed, yet it leaks huge amounts of gas for an unused line, maybe they where just storing it there……best guess, Russia quietly pressurized the line for Germany that’s why German politicians can scream bullshit, while all the while recieving Russian gas on the sly. They got caught not buying US LNG, now they pay the price….
Cheers M
“Et tu, Brute?” do the minions have the subtlety and ability to keep secrets like Wiener or Hunter with Laptops.. or is the Father of all Fall-guys being set up?? The tsunami of revelations of culpability which keep coming is astonishing! Wait, has Bibi (the one who got 29 standing ovations) been uncharacteristically quiet lately? What did Abramović discern in her seance with QEII, in the sixth level Below? All this is getting too pat, even tidier than OJ’s glove.. We need answers
➡️ depth charts by Mr P.. It is astonishing how many Polish dogs bark, inadvertently incriminating themselves too! MEP Mr. Sikorski above now too.
Check out Pepe’s TG feed above. There were apparently other self-incriminating markers left by joyriding US [Sikorsky?] Helicopter lads near the scene of the crime.. “Murder, She Wrote!” where are our sleuths, Garland and Mr. Macgregor, when we need them?? This requires the delicate and experienced forensic analysis of deviant serial-killer psychopathic pyromaniacs
Bibi is amazing. I didn’t think I’d ever utter those words but with extraordinary times come extraordinary measures. He whistles way better than I ever could.
it will be interesting to see Mr. Garland and Col MacGregors analyses.
And Pepe is spot on.
Thanks for Bibi … a laugh is needed and appreciated.
pipes cannot be kept empty as it will rot the whole system (ie jam up the compressors, valves etc)
so pressure is always maintained, there’s no gas flow
Sean! That’s a very interesting idea. Perhaps that was going on. Maybe somebody simply thought it was. And fersure there was developing force vector politik moving in such direction. Now the Germans who would have applauded opening NS2 and NS1 will become force vector anti AZE, one might expect.
I was under the impression that NS1 & 2 were under static pressure, not any flow…a maintenance pressure. But that may have been wrong.
Withal, we await the other shoe-drop. There seem to be a lot of shoes dropping…
Since this sabotage affair is a big one, IMHO, it amounts to roughly the equivalent of “black tom” sabotage, maybe bigger. http://www.faqs.org/espionage/Bl-Ch/Black-Tom-Explosion.html
…………..
Elsewhere I note conflation of LPG with LNG, and LNG with pipe gas, which is not LNG
………
I have been curious about the design pressure of these lines. See “Reynolds number” … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_number it’s a calculus problem. If the gas density and chemistry “stickiness” aspect is low, then it’s easy to push the gas, increasing the flow requires more pressure, ie density – at some point one runs up against the Reynolds number…. After that even Our Lord, who wrote the rules of physics, can’t make the flow much greater. I had assumed that the maximum operating pressure was about 2,000 psi, but that’s a guess. More or less what one might have in the argon or O2 tank at the welding shop.
While Poland may applaud, they’re probably not the culprit, but a (failed) fallguy.
It’s obvious who did it, and why.
This is interesting> https://seapowermagazine.org/baltops-22-a-perfect-opportunity-for-research-and-resting-new-technology/
and this> https://theduran.locals.com/member/CharlesBD
Maybe so. CharlesBD claims US/UK are the criminals.
I note that, after W#1, Black Tom went to court, and the Germans lost the case and paid out.
Interesting angle. I hadn’t thought of that. Hmmmm :)
Please explain WHY German has to buy LNG from the US or have pipelines terrorised?
They CHOSE freely to buy Russian gas.
Are you telling me that the USA cannot TOLERATE free trade, let alone be its champion?
The Yanks like to boast TANSTAAFL – and then they eat everyone’s lunch.
Free-trade for thee, your lunch for me.
Simple!
Its worse, its we lend to you when you are in desperation, then you follow our rules based order or else.
They, Germany, have no National Constitution it is a subsidiary of the City Of London and Wall Street……Germany, does not get to make these type of decisions, they do not control their Destiny. The only get to trade with who the US let them, no different in Canada and Canada had a constitution, they just abdicated it to the US with NAFTA. Btw….NAFTA is neither free nor fair.
Cheers M
No surprise as Russia never retaliates on anything why do you want them to stop to double down?
So you think Russia was behind this? Really? There is no benefit to Russia from this action at all. The one party that benefits from this is the cabal running the USA right now. It’s time you shed your “Russia bad” blinders pal.
“The pressure in NS2 plummeted from 105 bars [or 300 bars] to just 7 bars”
1 bar is about atmospheric pressure at sea level. 7 bars would be the pressure at about 60 meters water depth (if my math is ok). If you blow air into a tube in water with an opening at 60 meter depth, until it bubbles from that opening, the pressure in the tube would stabilize at about 7 bar.
Because the pressure “plummeted,” the puncture is not a small hole.
I’m looking forward to eventual underwater photos.
The West is worried to lose support of EU countries, and risk them brokering their own energy deals to bypass the nato sanctions and avoid freezing to death it’s citizens this winter.
Of course, while making sure the upper echelon politicians don’t get to play golf in the Caymans as their electorate melt ice for drinking water.
Exactly. Afraid of Germany getting cold feet and turning eastward …
The national broadcaster in Oz has a report on this that is almost free of bias (for a change.) The Guardian tried to do the same, but old habits die hard.
It doesn’t matter that this time (for whatever reason) they APPEARED to be free of bias. They are liars, full stop.
IMO they are now playing a new type of game. Remember the 9/11, MH370, MH17, etc psyops where they appeared to have solved the crimes within a few hours? Previously they attached their propaganda to it immediately (eg: blame Russia) but people have woken up to it. Thank God, even the blind sheep are making a small progress! If they were to blame Russia again straight away, it likely would not work, hence they just do the silent “we know nothing” in the beginning – but just wait, the blame Russia psyop will start in a few days or weeks.
P.S. But do observe that in the media eg: Der Spiegel they have already planted the seeds of blame: one suggested “possibility” is that Russia did it as a false flag against Ukraine.
Why sell LPG to US citizens @ $300 when you can sell it to Europe for $3,000?
#U$A
The German media stressed – interestingly enough – that the bubbling gas is deemed to be poisonous and heavily damaging the environment. Wasn’t exactly that the argument of the Danish government to block the realization of NS2 as long al possible?
Expect a revival of this claim when repairing becomes an issue.
If anyone is really concerned about the environmental impact of a large methane release, they could ignite it. Maybe someone important will go there in a rowboat to protest, stand and raise her arm, and flick her Bic lighter.
CH4 is not toxic. Small amounts of toxic gasses may be dissolved in the gas leaking/blowing from the pipes. I’d take a very cynical view of German TV. The gas? Maybe (not likely) it’s N2, but probably CH4, and yeah, maybe they’ll flare it. If N2 it’s also not toxic. German TV can say whatever they like, it doesn’t change the reality. Rather like the Bye-don spewing about “the” science and masks…whatabunchahorsechit.
It is interesting that the gas continues to blow. Evidently the operating agents are trying to prevent saltwater intrusion, ie flooding of the pipes. Flooding would complicate future repairs, if any…
That said, at least pipes with more than one undersea opening probably already have some seawater intrusions.
Possibly there are entrained oils, I read that there is a slick on the sea. Compressors generally spew some oil into the pumped fluid. Whatever…
The most toxic gas emenates from the US government.
The Greens want a civilization built free of poisons – good luck to that
I am afraid that someone just made a very big mistake. It doesn’t matter what we or Germany know about the culprit. What is important is that Russia knows that they did or did not do it themselves. At this point i pray that the Russians did it, otherwise this is a direct act of aggression by a foreign power on Russia.
God help us all
There is no reason for Russia to sabotage an unused NS2 Pipeline
There is also no reason to sabotage a live pipeline like NS1 flowing gas to German. Russia controls the flow in NS1 and could merely close the isolating valve upstream at the origin.
This is a case of Cui Bono. Germany is the target of de-industrialisation and any connection,pipeline ,trade ,diplomatic with Russia spells the loss of Control over its vassal Europe by the declining USA hegemon.
Prof Michael Hudson called this several months ago, when he said the real target of the war in Ukraine was Europe,to the the benefit of the USA
De-industrialisation of Germany and Europe caused by energy shortages means that European Industry will de-camp to the USA.
Short term profit chasing resulted in US Manufacturing moving to the low wage areas of the Far East.
The USA has realised its weakness and now has insufficient production capacity to progress a war against Russia.
Financialisation has run its course,and does not provide bread or guns, just worthless paper money.
This is to be rectified by looting European Industry and setting up in the USA ,resulting in the benefits of job creation and real wealth creation.
The USA has looted worldwide and is now looting its friends and allies.
The USA will not go to war against Russia or China, but is now at war with an emasculated Europe.
The do not care who knows they sabotaged NS1 &2, The attitude is ‘waddya gonna do about it ,sucker’
In Henry Kissinger’s words,’ to be an ally of the USA is dangerous, to be a friend is deadly’.
There are a lot of Americans living in Europe who can be shot. That is what ‘should be done about it, sucker’…..
Interesting that Comrade Hal posted the seismic event time at 17:03 GMT 26 Sept. see https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/world/covert-intel-urgent-russian-gas-pipelines-to-germany-blown-up
Ordinarily Hal is not a source. Ordinarily he’s interesting because of his audience, rural, mostly Mormon, at least in CONUS…and also in Florida on HF radio.
(“Comrade” Hal? Well, my sarcasm…he is without the slightest sophistication as to the wide range of communism…but he means well.)
He says his radioshow will be especially jolly to-night. I do not doubt it.
This act of sabotage on gas pipelines is a declaration of war on the EU by the US.
Of course all the EU spokespersons are blaming Russia, which is ridiculous.
Yes, but it’s very easy for all of Europe to break off diplomatic relations with the USA, demand that all US troops leave European soil or else and give every single US citizen resident in Europe 90 days to leave with no assets remaining behind retaining their ownership. Every european should offer fire sale prices for every US property asset forcibly put up for sale and Dachau should be re-opened if a single US resistance to their humiliating exit from Europe occurs.
The time for diplomacy is gone. Treat Americans like the inhuman scum that they are.
(topcor.ru “Large holes found in Nord Stream pipes” Yesterday, 19: 36)
On January 27, 2022, Deputy Head of the US State Department Victoria Nuland made a threatening statement : “If Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another, Nord Stream 2 will not move forward” she promised.
In February 2022, US President Joe Biden spoke even more specifically : “If Russia invades, if their tanks or troops cross the Ukrainian border again, then there will be no more Nord Stream 2” he said during the briefing.
He was asked how it would be done, because the project and all work on it are under the control of Germany. “I promise that we can make it”
As expected, the western presstitutes started to blame Russia for the sabotage. It seems that nobody there asks the question: Cui bono? The answer is ovious thou: US and its lapdog Poland.
They’re after the platforms now, more or less confirmation that it wasn’t Russia that did it:
https://en.topwar.ru/202326-gazprom-platit-mo-rf-jekspluatiruet-povyshenie-zaschischennosti-obektov-promyshlennosti-v-uslovijah-provedenija-specoperacii-na-ukraine-i-buduschih-voennyh-konfliktov.html
Gazprom pays – the RF Ministry of Defense operates: increasing the security of industrial facilities in the context of a special operation in Ukraine and future military conflicts
Suddenly, an alarm sounded from the ADMC notification speaker, the indicators on the control panel flashed. Several markers appeared on the radar display moving in the direction of the gas production platform. The complex complied with the request for state identification, but there was no response – it became clear that this was a threat.
The calculation of the air defense system reacted instantly by pressing the necessary key combinations, after which the complex automatically captured targets and fired two anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM), rushing towards their targets. Approximately ten seconds later, both Bayraktars disappeared in flashes of explosions – the clumsy and slow UAVs had no chance against high-speed and maneuverable missiles. However, just a few seconds before the destruction, one of the Bayraktars managed to launch two guided missiles that captured the target.
The Tageszeitung link claims that one pipeline of NS2 and two pipelines of NS1 were hit. NS2 consists of two pipelines, and as far as I know NS1 also consists of two pipelines. That means that in theory one pipeline of NS2 might still be useable.
The two pipelines of NS2 were not completed in synchrony – one was finished first. I do not recall any news announcing the completion of the second strand (but it is entirely possible it was published and I missed it), all the main publicity was on the first, therefore I don’t know what its current status is, and if it was “pressurised”. If it is still unfinished, then it necessarily must be the case that there is an end on dry land somewhere – most likely in Germany; I’d guess it would also have some pressure, maybe much lower than the design pressure. I have a hazy recollection of news that the last outstanding underwater segment was completed and only the overland segment in Germany remained for the second strand – that was some time ago – was further work obstructed or not? (In fact, I’m not sure if that was the responsibility of Germany to complete rather than Russia).
That leaves a variety of scenarios open. (1) If NS2 second strand was not pressurised at full pressure, it may be that it was still sabotaged but that the damage was not detected, or Tagesspiegel information was not complete. (2) Maybe the second strand is intact but the last segment overland in Germany is still waiting to be built. (3) Maybe the second strand was completed and fully pressurised, but I just missed the news of it (it would probably receive less coverage than the completion of the first strand, given that it still had no certification). (4) Maybe the 4th pipeline was also fully pressurised and sabotaged.
All the reports I have seen – apart from the graphic above – specifically claim 3 leaks, but in the above graphic there are 6 white circles marked “NW” – does this mean 6 independent leaks? Is there any confirmation of this? One of these might be the 4th pipeline, if so. Why would they make 6 explosions rather than 4?
Another issue: is Russia being allowed access to the pipeline for inspection? There must be contractual obligations, including for safety purposes.
Actually, all the explosions are apparently in international waters so I would assume Russia can get access, notwithstanding the “exclusion zones” declared by Denmark and Sweden.
The NS2 project was long stalled by Denmark, awaiting their permission to lay the pipes through their Economic zone. They probably have some domain over the affected areas.
As regards NS1,2 leaks, it is also possible this gets Scholz off the hook from German Demo’s demanding Open NS2 ! Does not solve Scholz’s problem though – the collapse of Germany.
https://seapowermagazine.org/baltops-22-a-perfect-opportunity-for-research-and-resting-new-technology/
BALTOPS 22: A Perfect Opportunity for Research and Resting New Technology
UUV technology testing in Bornsholm this summer.
Anyone remember this incident :
Explosive-Laden Drone Found Near Nord Stream Pipeline Fri, 11/13/2015 –
https://www.pipeline-journal.net/news/explosive-laden-drone-found-near-nord-stream-pipeline
That drone had a cable. Maybe the latest UUV’s use sub ULF?
These pipelines are extremely resilient, which is why seismic stations picked up Richter 2 .
Less resilient are communications cables – in typical lying projection NATO states these are targets by bad actors.
Are we about to see more UUV incidents? Right now no underwater cable is safe!
I doubt it. It is not MO of Russia to respond in a symetric way, particularly on ‘civilian’ infrastructure.
I looks however like a possible false-flag NATO can use for the need to ‘respond’.
Thanks for the Drone link. I guess even NS1 was unpopular for some.