The Danish Energy Agency Grants Permission to Preserve Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

The Danish Energy Agency has granted permission to Nord Stream 2 AG to preserve the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea that suffered damage in September 2022 following an explosion.

The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines run from Vyborg, Russia, to Lubmin near Greifswald, Germany, and cross the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, as well as the territorial waters of Russia, Denmark, and Germany.

Investigations and Damage Assessment

Germany, Sweden, and Denmark each initiated respective national investigations after four gas leaks were found on the pipelines in September 2022, two in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and two in the Danish territory. In February 2024, Sweden closed its investigation citing lack of jurisdiction, followed by Denmark.

The damaged Nord Stream 2 pipeline A contains approximately 9-10 million Sm3 of remaining natural gas, while pipeline B is intact and gas-filled at reduced pressure.

Preservation Plan and Permit

The Danish Energy Agency granted a permit to Nord Stream 2 AG on January 28 to preserve the damaged pipeline by installing specially manufactured plugs at the open pipe ends. The permit includes conditions to ensure safe operation and monitoring of future plans for the facility.

Nord Stream 2 AG plans to carry out the preservation works in the second or third quarter of 2025, expected to last two to three weeks.

About Nord Stream 2 AG

Nord Stream 2 AG is an international consortium established in 2005 for the planning, construction, and operation of the natural gas pipelines. The consortium includes Gazprom, Wintershall Dea, PEG Infrastruktur (E.ON), N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, and ENGIE.