The fact that Nord Stream 1, the main pipeline for the supply of gas from Russia to Europe, has not yet restarted has no impact on supply in Belgium, according to the cabinet of Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten.
The situation is being closely monitored, the minister's cabinet said. There is no impact on the Belgian gas supply. "The gas stock in Loenhout will be filled to 90% within a few days. That is ahead of schedule," the minister's cabinet said. "Belgium continues to transport maximum gas to Germany and the Netherlands in particular."
The Russian state group Gazprom announced on Friday evening that Nord Stream 1 would not restart on Saturday, as planned, after maintenance works have been completed. It said an oil leak had been discovered. This means that, for now, no gas will flow through the pipeline to Europe.
At Fluxys, too, the word was that there would be no immediate direct impact, especially since Belgium had imported no natural gas from Germany for months.
Norway is Belgium's main supplier of natural gas: an undersea pipeline connects Zeebrugge with the Norwegian gas fields. Belgium also imports LNG via the ports of Zeebrugge and Dunkirk, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, gas traders expect the resumption delay at Nord Stream 1 to lead to a new price increase on Monday, without however breaking any records.
