Denmark has invited the Russian-controlled operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to help salvage an unidentified object found close to the only remaining intact gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea. A response is still pending.
The pipeline operator is controlled by Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom.
Three explosions occurred in September 2022 on the Nord Stream pipelines.
The blasts occurred in the exclusive economic zones of Sweden and Denmark. Both countries say the explosions were deliberate, but have not determined who is responsible.
Last week, Danish authorities found a tubular object, protruding around 40 cm from the seabed and 10 cm in diameter.
It was found during an inspection of the last remaining intact pipeline by Swiss-based operator Nord Stream 2 AG.
‘With a view to further clarifying the nature of the object, Danish authorities have decided to salvage the object with assistance from the Danish Defence,’ the Denmark’s Energy Agency says.
Authorities have assessed that ‘the object does not pose any immediate safety risk.’
The last intact pipeline has remained idle as Europe has cut most energy ties with Russia. The pipeline still contains gas, but the operator said last year it had lowered its pressure as a precaution.
