First Images Of Nord Stream One Pipeline Damage Captured In Underwater Footage

 

Daily Mail: Extraordinary first images emerge of mangled Nord Stream: 165ft of blown-up Baltic Sea gas pipe is 'either missing or buried under the seabed' after it was attacked with 'extreme force' 

* An explosion on September 26 caused four leaks in the Baltic Sea pipeline 

* Two leaks were in Denmark's exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden's 

* Investigators have been working to ascertain the cause of the damage 

* Swedish investigators said earlier this month evidence suggested sabotage 

* Footage released today showed 165 feet of pipeline was destroyed or buried 

* Danish investigators also said today 'powerful explosions' damaged the pipes 

* Fingers have been pointed at Russia after Moscow cut gas supplies to Europe 

Extraordinary first images of a mangled Nord Stream pipeline have emerged, three weeks after it was blown up 'with extreme force' in a suspected act of sabotage. 

Footage, released on Tuesday, showed at least 165 feet of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline was destroyed or buried under the seabed, following an explosion on September 26 - assumed by many to have been a Russian attack. 

Release of the images came as Danish police said 'powerful explosions' were behind damage to the two gas pipelines (Nord Stream 1 and 2) in the Danish part of the Baltic Sea. 

On October 6, Swedish investigators said their own initial investigations had come to a similar conclusion. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Swedish journalists, together with Norwegian experts, photographed and filmed this destroyed 50-metre section of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline with underwater drones. 

As for the investigation itself. Sweden will not release their findings (link here), and a German minister said over the weekend the government knows who was responsible, but will not reveal that information due to "national security"!?!?!?!? 

 First Images Of Nord Stream One Pipeline Damage Captured In Underwater Footage  

Nord Stream blast 'blew away 50 metres of pipe' -- BBC  

Nord Stream 1: first underwater images reveal devastating damage -- The Guardian  

Nord Stream Ruptures Revealed as Europe Grapples With Gas Plan -- Reuters  

First Images Of Blown Up Nord Stream Reveals 50 Meter Missing Section Of Pipeline -- Zero Hedge  

'Powerful explosions' behind Nord Stream leaks, Danish police say -- Reuters 

‘Powerful explosions’ triggered major gas leak on Russian pipelines, Danish police say -- CNBC  

Danes confirm ‘extensive damage” to Baltic Sea pipelines -- The Hill  

Denmark confirms Nord Stream 'explosions' caused damage -- DW

Watch Bloomberg's Hosts 'Short - Circuit' When Colombia Profesor Jeffrey Sachs Says US 'Probably' Behind Nord Stream Pipeline Attacks

 

WNU Editor: Heaven help those who go against the main stream media narrative. But Colombia Profesor Jeffrey Sachs is correct that all the people that he talks to around the world are convinced that the US is responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline attacks. I am getting the same response from all of my friends and contacts outside of Canada and the U.S.. After-all .... who benefits the most from this attack? And when you add in earlier promises made by President Biden and State Department official Victoria Nuland that the US would stop the Nord Stream pipelines if Russia invades Ukraine, the evidence is building. 

A prediction. We will eventually find out in the future on who was responsible for this attack. I give it two or three years when the truth comes out.

Update: Yup. If you go against the narrative, you must be influenced by the Kremlin .... U.S. podcasters spread Kremlin narratives on Nord Stream sabotage (Brookings).

U.S. Intelligence Points The Finger At Ukraine For Being Responsible In Destroying The Nord Stream Pipelines

Photo: Danish Defence / Handout / AFP 

 Spiegel: Attacks Expose Vulnerability of European Infrastructure 

The search for the perpetrators has begun following Monday's sabotage attack on the Nord Stream pipelines. Which countries could have been behind it, and how secure is Europe's critical infrastructure at the bottom of the sea? 

The route of the gas pipelines through the Baltic Sea could have been copied out of a cruise catalogue. From Ust-Luga near St. Petersburg, the route leads through the Gulf of Finland, then south past the Estonian island of Hiiumaa, past Gotland in Sweden, past Bornholm through Danish waters before approaching the German coast and ending in Lubmin in the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It's a route where you wouldn't typically expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, a region intended for comfortable vacations. A place where all was well. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: What caught my eye in the above Der Speigel report is this ....

.... The Germans were warned in summer by the CIA about a possible attack scenario on the Nord Stream pipelines. U.S. intelligence claimed to have intercepted Russian communications in which concerns were expressed about possible Ukrainian attacks on Western infrastructure. The Ukrainians allegedly tried to rent a boat in Sweden for this purpose. The CIA did not consider the scenario of a Ukrainian attack to be very credible, but the mere fact that the possibility of an attack on Western infrastructure was mentioned by the Russian side prompted the Americans to warn the Germans about the scenario. 

Is Ukraine responsible for launching an attack that destroyed Nord stream 1 and 2? Maybe. 

For the past few months I have been reading and hearing reports from Russian media and social media of Ukrainian plans and plots ranging from a dirty bomb or chemical attack on Moscow or Saint Pertersburg to false flag operations where Russia would be blamed. I presume this is what the CIA is talking about. 

But to conduct a maritime operation on the Nord Stream pipelines where hundreds of kilograms of high explosives were placed at four different locations to explode at the same time is a sophistication that I do not see Ukraine having.

NATO Issues A Warning That Any Deliberate Attack Against Critical Infrastructure Will Be Met With A United And Determined Response

 

NBC: NATO issues warning about pipeline 'sabotage' after gas pipeline explosions  

"Any deliberate attack against allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response,” the military alliance said after the Nord Stream explosions. 

LONDON — NATO on Thursday left the door open to possible military action in response to what it said was deliberate sabotage after explosions on underwater natural gas pipelines between Russia and Europe. 

“All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage,” it said in a statement. 

Western governments have pointed the finger of blame for the leaks at Russia, which has flatly denied any suggestion it was responsible for explosions that caused them.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The NATO statement is brief and very clear (link here) .... 

.... The damage to the Nordstream 1 and Nordstream 2 pipelines in international waters in the Baltic Sea is of deep concern. All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage. We support the investigations underway to determine the origin of the damage.  

“We, as allies, have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack against allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response.” 

Even though Russia is the majority owner of the Nord Stream pipelines, it has European partners in what is (was) a critical part of Europe's energy infrastructure. 

Because some NATO and EU leaders are already pointing their finger at Russia being responsible for this attack, will this be used as a justification to respond .... Spain says Nord Stream gas leaks likely a deliberate act — and points the finger at Russia (CNBC). 

Is this a Reichstag moment? 

Will this be used to escalate NATO's involvement in Ukraine? 

Or is this a warning to Russia to not retaliate after the destruction of their pipelines? 

Bottom line. We are sliding down a very slippery slope. 

NATO Vows Retaliation for Attacks on Infrastructure, Blames Sabotage for Pipe Blasts  

NATO believes Baltic Sea gas leaks were sabotage -- AP  

NATO Vows Retaliation for Attacks on Infrastructure, Blames Sabotage for Pipe Blasts -- VOA NATO Formally Blames Sabotage for Nord Stream Pipeline Damage -- WSJ 

NATO condemns ‘deliberate, reckless’ sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines after fourth leak discovered -- FOX News  

NATO Sees 'Deliberate, Reckless' Sabotage In Nord Stream Leaks -- Barrons  

NATO labels Nord Stream pipeline leaks result of "sabotage" -- Axios

Who Is Responsible For Attacking Nord Stream 1 And Nord Stream 2?

WNU Editor: There are two narratives that are underway right now when it comes to who is responsible for this attack. 

On one side fingers are pointing at the U.S. .... Whodunnit? - Facts Related to The Sabotage Attack On The Nord Stream Pipelines (Moon of Alabama). 

On the other side fingers are pointing at Russia .... Nord Stream pipelines were sabotaged, and the best suspect is the nation that sabotaged them before (Daily Kos). 

I personally say it is best to wait before making any judgements. We only know that these pipelines have been attacked/sabotaged. There is still a lot that we do not know.  

Update: Most of my friends and contacts in Europe believe the U.S. was responsible for this attack. 

Opinion in Ukraine is interesting. While the government narrative is that this was a Russian attack, my Ukrainian friends, family members, and contacts are convinced that this was an attack green-lighted by the US and then handled by them or through a third party.

German Engineers Fear Nord Stream 1 Pipeline Is Beyond Repair. Nord Stream 2 Will Take Months

A road sign directs traffic towards the Nord Stream 2 gas line landfall facility entrance in Lubmin, north eastern Germany, on September 7, 2020. (AFP)  

Reuters: German security agencies fear Nord Stream 1 may be unusable forever: Report 

German security agencies fear that Nord Stream 1 will become unusable forever after major leaks from both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 into the Baltic Sea, German daily Tagesspiegel reported, citing government sources. 

If leaks in the two lines of Nord Stream 1 are not repaired quickly, large volumes of salt water will flow into the pipelines and cause corrosion, the paper cited the sources as saying.  

Read more ....  

Update: Nord Stream Repair No Easy Matter (Energu Intelligence)  

WNU Editor: There are firms coming forward offering to repair the pipelines .... Nord Stream 1 pipeline may use repair equipment pool (Reuters). The problem is that many are saying that these repairs must commence immediately to save the pipelines from salt corrosion, a prospect that I doubt will happen in view of the current environment of sanctions and hostilities. I know in Russia the media narrative this morning is that Nord Stream 2 is going to be a staggering $10 billion write-off for Gazprom.

Did President Biden Make Do On His Threat When He Warned Early This Year That If Russia Invaded Ukraine The U.S. Would Put An 'End To Nord Stream 2'?

 

WNU Editor: It is interesting that President Biden threatened in February to “bring an end to” the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invaded Ukraine.  

“I promise you we will be able to do it,” Biden responded when a reporter asked how the U.S. could put a stop to the pipeline, which was under German control. 

That is a rather damning video and one that Russian media is going to disseminate widely.  

Update #1: Moon of Alabama makes the case that the US was responsible for this attack, and the real target was Germany .... The War On Germany Just Entered Its Hot Phase (Moon of Alabama).  

Update #2: The CIA is now pushing the narrative that they warned everyone a few weeks ago that such an attack was possible .... CIA warned Berlin about possible attacks on gas pipelines in summer - Spiegel (Reuters). More here .... Germany warned by CIA of possible attack on Nord Stream gas pipeline weeks in advance: report (FOX News).

Update #3: Poland’s former defense and foreign minister is convinced that the US is responsible for this attack .... US praised for Nord Stream explosion (RT).

EU Leaders Convinced That A Deliberate Attack Was Launched On Russia's Nord Stream 1 And 2 Pipelines

 

Daily Mail: Did Putin's frogmen blow up Europe's gas supplies? Western leaders blame 'deliberate' sabotage after Nord Stream pipe from Russia ruptured off Sweden causing 3000ft-wide bubbles and sending prices spiking 

* Three leaks were reported in Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines near Danish island last night and this morning 

* Pipelines are leaking gas into the Baltic Sea, with one area more than 3,000ft wide churning with bubbles 

* Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has said her government believes the leaks were caused by 'deliberate actions' 

* Ukraine also pointed the finger at Moscow, describing the incident as a 'terrorist attack and act of aggression' 

* Latvian Defence Minister has called on Nato and EU's member states to jointly investigate the pipeline blasts 

Western leaders have blamed ‘deliberate’ sabotage after the Nordsteam pipe from Russia suffered 'unprecedented' damage off Sweden - causing 3000ft-wide bubbles in the Baltic Sea and causing prices to spike. 

Explosions were heard near the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipes where gas is now leaking into the Baltic from three holes, scientists have confirmed, while chronic safety concerns have led to a five-mile exclusion zone being imposed around the affected area. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said her government believes the leaks were caused by 'deliberate actions', adding that the gas supply pipeline will be out of action for around a week.

Read more .... 

EU Leaders Convinced That A Deliberate Attack Was Launched On Russia's Nord Stream 1 And 2 Pipelines 

 Leaders blame Russia-Europe pipeline leaks on sabotage -- AFP  

European leaders blame sabotage as gas pours into Baltic from Nord Stream pipelines -- The Guardian  

Denmark, Sweden view Nord Stream pipeline leaks as 'deliberate actions' -- DW  

Nord Stream pipeline gas leaks labelled a possible 'act of sabotage' by European leaders -- ABC News Australia  

‘Deliberate actions’ caused Nord Stream gas leak, Danish PM says -- France 24  

Gas leak in Nord Stream pipelines likely caused by sabotage, Germany says -- FOX News  

Polish PM thinks it's 'clear' Nord Stream leaks are act of sabotage -- EU Observer  

Russia-Ukraine war: Sweden launches sabotage investigation after explosions reported near Nord Stream pipelines – as it happened -- The Guardian  

Blasts precede Baltic pipeline leaks, sabotage seen likely -- AP 

Europe investigates 'attacks' on Russian gas pipelines to Europe -- Reuters

Undersea Monitoring Stations Report Explosions That Indicate Russia's Nord Stream I And II Pipelines To Germany Were Deliberately Attacked

 

France 24: Explosions recorded before pipeline leaks, raising Russian sabotage fears 

Europe was racing on Tuesday to investigate possible sabotage behind sudden and unexplained leaks in two Russian gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea, infrastructure at the heart of an energy crisis since Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Photos taken by the Danish military showed large masses of bubbles on the surface of the water emanating from the three leaks located in Sweden's and Denmark's economic zones, spreading from 200 to 1,000 metres (656 feet to 0.62 miles) in diameter. 

"It's hard to imagine that it's accidental," said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, noting that it was "unusual" for the leaks to happen at such a distance from each other. The Swedish National Seismic Network recorded two "massive releases of energy" shortly prior to the gas leaks and near their locations off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm, Peter Schmidt, an Uppsala University seismologist told AFP. 

"With energy releases this big there isn't much else than a blast that could cause it," he added. "You can see that they are quite sudden. It is a very sudden energy release. It's not a slow collapse of something."  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It was almost two weeks ago that Russian President Putin told the EU that their energy crisis would be solved if they open Nord Stream 2 .... Putin tells Europe: if you want gas then open Nord Stream 2 (Reuters). 

With this interruption of two separate pipelines at the same time, coupled with seismic evidence pointing to two maybe three deliberate explosions, it is clear to me that someone does not want Putin's option on the table. So who is responsible? 

 I do not know who is responsible. But I do know that only a few countries have the capability to conduct such an operation. 

Russian social media is convinced that the U.S., seeing the recent growing protests in Germany to open Nord Stream 2 to alleviate the energy crisis, made the decision to take this pipeline out.  

Update: The Kremlin is blaming no one (yet) .... Kremlin comments on possible causes of Nord Stream damage (RT). 

Undersea Monitoring Stations Report Explosions That Indicate Russia's Nord Stream I And II Pipelines To Germany Were Deliberately Attacked 

Russia-Ukraine war: explosions reported near Nord Stream pipelines as gas leaks into Baltic Sea – live -- The Guardian  

Sabotage suspected after unexplained leaks found on major Russian gas pipelines -- CNBC  

German officials reportedly believe the crucial Nord Stream natural-gas pipelines connecting Russia to Europe were sabotaged near a Danish island -- Business Insider 

Gas leak in Nord Stream pipelines likely caused by sabotage, Germany says -- FOX News 

Leaks on Russian gas pipelines raise concerns about sabotage -- AP  

Nord Stream pipeline leaks spark sabotage fears -- Axios  

Blasts detected near Nord Stream pipelines amid leak – Swedish seismologists -- RT  

Powerful Underwater Explosions Reportedly Registered in Area of Gas Leaks From Nord Stream -- Sputnik 

What is known about gas leakages from Nord Streams -- TASS

Kremlin Announces That Nord Stream 1 Pipeline To The EU Will Be Closed Until Sanctions Lifted

Pipes at the landfall facilities of the 'Nord Stream 1' gas pipline in Lubmin © Reuters/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE  

RT: Main gas pipeline to EU will be closed until sanctions lifted – Kremlin 

Nord Stream 1 operations will be hampered as long as Western restrictions remain in place, Dmitry Peskov says 

The technical issues with gas deliveries to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline will persist until the West lifts sanctions it has slapped on Russia over the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. 

On August 31, Gazprom completely shut down gas deliveries via the pipeline. Although initially Nord Stream 1 was slated to resume gas transit on Friday, Gazprom announced that it would remain closed indefinitely due to technical issues. 

“Problems in [gas] deliveries arose due to sanctions that have been imposed on our country and a number of companies by Western countries, including Germany and the UK. There are no other reasons behind supply issues,” Peskov noted. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: No one should be surprised by this closure. I am only surprised that it has taken this long.

Kremlin Announces That Nord Stream 1 Pipeline To The EU Will Be Closed Until Sanctions Lifted  

Kremlin: Nord Stream Halted Over EU Violation of Maintenance Agreements, Sanctions -- Sputnik  

Russia cuts off gas exports to Europe via Nord Stream indefinitely -- CNN  

Kremlin blames Europe for Nord Stream 1 halt, saying sanctions hamper maintenance -- Reuters  

Russia switches off Europe's main gas pipeline until sanctions are lifted -- Financial Times  

Kremlin says sanctions to blame for halting natural gas supply to Europe -- AP

Russia Shuts Nord Stream 1 Gas pipeline to Europe For Three Days Citing Maintenance Reasons

 

CNBC: Russia halts gas flows to Europe via Nord Stream 1 for maintenance works 

* It is expected that gas flows via Nord Stream 1, which runs from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, will be suspended from Aug. 31 through to Sept. 3.

* The temporary halt to supplies reflects a deepening gas dispute between Russia and the European Union and underscores both the risk of a recession and a winter shortage. 

* “Europe is in full bunkering mode and taking no chances with Russian supplies heading into the winter,” said Wei Xiong, senior analyst at energy consultancy Rystad Energy. 

Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom on Wednesday halted gas flows to Europe via a major pipeline, citing maintenance works on its only remaining compressor. 

It is expected that gas flows via Nord Stream 1, which runs from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, will be suspended from Aug. 31 through to Sept. 3.  

Read more .... 

Russia Shuts Nord Stream 1 Gas pipeline to Europe For Three Days Citing Maintenance Reasons  

Nord Stream 1: Russia shuts major gas pipeline to Europe -- BBC  

Russia deepens Europe's energy squeeze with new gas halt -- Reuters 

Energy crisis: Russian energy giant Gazprom halts Nord Stream 1 gas flows to Germany -- Euronews/AP  

Nord Stream 1: Russia switches off gas pipeline citing maintenance -- The Guardian 

Russia halts natural gas flows via Nord Stream 1 pipeline, intensifying the pressure on Europe in its energy crisis -- Business Insider 

Russia halts gas supplies to Germany as France warns of winter rationing and power cuts -- The Independent  

Russian gas deliveries to Europe halted for three days -- RTE  

Russia halts Nord Stream 1 gas flow to Europe again -- Al Jazeera

Gazprom To Shut Down Gas Transit To EU Via Nord Stream For Three Days For Repairs

FILE PHOTO: A Gazprom sign is seen on the facade of a business centre in Saint Petersburg 

RT: Russian gas transit to EU via Nord Stream to be halted – Gazprom 

A three-day stoppage for repairs will begin on August 31, the Russian energy major says Russian energy giant Gazprom announced on Friday that transit of natural gas to the European Union via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline will be halted from August 31 to September 2 for maintenance.

“On August 31, the only working Trent 60 gas compressor unit will be shut down for three days for maintenance,” the company stated, noting that all repairs will be carried out jointly with specialists from the German manufacturer, Siemens.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Nord Stream 1 pipeline to shut for three days at end of Aug, Gazprom says -- Reuters  

Update #2: Gazprom to shut off Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline for three days -- DPA  

WNU Editor: Pressure to open Nord Stream 2 is still being resisted in Germany .... Nord Stream 2: FDP lawmaker slammed for suggestion to open pipeline (DW).

Russian Gas Deliveries Resume To Europe Via Nord Stream One Albeit At 40% Capacity

 

CNBC: Russia resumes gas flows to Europe after fears of a total shutdown 

* There had been concerns across the region that there could be a complete shutdown of gas supplies via the pipeline after it was closed earlier this month for maintenance. 

* Data on operator Nord Stream’s website showed that flows increased from zero to 29,284,591 kWh/h for 0600-0700 Central European Time Thursday. 

* On July 10, the last day of operations before the maintenance work began, flows were at roughly the same level, just above the 29,000,000 kWh/h. 

The operator of Nord Stream 1, a key gas pipeline which runs from Russia to Germany, said Thursday it was in the process of resuming flows to Europe. 

There had been concerns across the region that there could be a complete shutdown of gas supplies via the pipeline after it was closed earlier this month for maintenance. Flows had been due to be restart Thursday after the completion of the works. 

A spokesperson for Nord Stream confirmed to CNBC via email that the company is “in process of resuming gas transportation.” “It can take some hours to reach the nominated transport volumes,” they added.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The pipeline is flowing at 30% capacity. Expected to reach 40% by the end of the day. 

One more note. Another Russian gas pipeline turbine will need to be replaced. There may be another shutdown due to maintenance. 

Update: Germany is saying that this restoration is not enough .... Germany tables new crisis measures after Russian gas supply only partly restored (The Guardian).

 Russian Gas Deliveries Resume To Europe Via Nord Stream One Albeit At 40% Capacity  

Key Russia-Europe gas pipeline reopens but outlook unclear -- AP  

Russian gas again flowing into Europe via Nord Stream 1 pipeline -- DW  

Germany tables new crisis measures after Russian gas supply only partly restored -- The Guardian  

Nord Stream: Key Russian pipeline resumes pumping gas to Europe -- BBC  

Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Europe begins flowing again after being closed for maintenance -- FOX News  

Key Russian gas pipeline resumes supply to Europe -- Axios

Russia's Gazprom Asks Siemens On The Status Of Its Turbine Being Repaired In Canada

The powerful Portovaya compressor station pressurizes gas to the required level for transport through Nord Stream 1  

DW: Russia's Gazprom says no sign of Nord Steam 1 turbine 

Russian energy giant Gazprom says it has asked German engineering firm Siemens for the return of a turbine that was being fixed in Canada. There are fears state-owned Gazprom could use the opportunity to cut off gas. 

The Russian gas supplier Gazprom said Saturday it had asked German engineering company Siemens for details about the return of a turbine — under maintenance in Canada — to ensure the delivery of gas from the Nord Stream pipeline to Europe. 

Gazprom is conducting maintenance on the pipeline over a 10-day period and has stopped delivering gas through the conduit, which runs beneath the Baltic Sea.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Gazprom Requests Siemens to Provide Papers on Gas Turbine Return (Bloomberg)  

Update #2: Gazprom Asks Siemens for Turbine Repaired in Canada (Moscow Times/AFP)  

WNU Editor: From what I understand the matter is now in front of the Canadian courts .... Canadian Law Firm Requests Judicial Review of Government Decision to Return Nord Stream 1 Turbines (Law.com). 

If this turbine is not returned next week, which I doubt it will be, I am willing to bet that Gazprom will say that they cannot resume normal operations until this is resolved.