On 27 September, it was reported that the gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 experienced several gas leaks. Nord Stream 1 suffered two leaks North-East of the island Bornholm. Nord Stream 2 was effected by one leak South-East of Bornholm. A second leak on Nord Stream 2 was confirmed by the Swedish Coast Guard on 29 September, which results in four leaks on both pipelines in total. Swedish and Danish authorities issued navigational warnings accordingly and advised shipping to avoid sailing in the vicinity of the reported areas as the streaming gas is considered a hazard to shipping.
SWEDISH NAV WARN 144/22
SOUTHERN BALTIC.NE OF BORNHOLM DAMAGE TO THE ’NORD STREAM ’ GAS PIPELINE IN PSNS 55-33.4N 015-47.3E AND 55-32,1N 015-41,9E LEAKAGE DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION. NAVIGATION PROHIBITED WITHIN AREA OF 5 NM OF MENTIONED POSITIONS. AND 1000 M ELEVATION.
261052 UTC SEP
SWEDISH NAV WARN 143/22
DAMAGE TO THE ’NORD STREAM 2’ GAS PIPELINE IN PSN 54-52.6 015-24.6E. EXPOSIVE GAS IN VICINITY. 5 NAUTICAL MILES BERTH ADVISED AND 1000 METERS IN ELEVATION
261954 UTC SEP
DANISH NAV WARN 231/22
DENMARK. BALTIC SEA. BORNHOLM NE. GAS LEAKAGES HAVE BEEN OBSERVED 55-33.40N 015-47.30E AND 55-32.10N 015-41.90E. LEAKAGES ARE DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION. NAVIGATION PROHIBITED WITHIN A 5 NM AREA OF MENTIONED POSITIONS.
261426 UTC SEP
DANISH NAV WARN 230/22
DENMARK. BALTIC SEA. BORNHOLM SE. A GAS LEAKAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN POS. 54-52.60N 015-24.60E. LEAKAGE DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION. NAVIGATION PROHIBITED WITHIN A 5 NM AREA OF MENTIONED POSITION.
261319 UTC SEP
According to environmental surveillance agencies, seismological sensors detected two underwater blasts Monday, 26 September at 02:03 AM at Nord Stream 2 and 19:03 PM at Nord Stream 1. National authorities reported a rapid pressure plunge following these incidents from 105 bars to 7 bars. Footage from the Danish Defence Command and the Swedish Coast Guard show on the surface bubbles with 1km (0.6 miles) diameter at the largest spot.
The pipelines are stretching from Russia close to St. Petersburg to North-East Germany to the receiving terminals. In the area of the incidents, the pipelines are lying on the seabed at a water depth between 70 and 80 meters. Nord Stream 1 ceased operations allegedly due to technical reasons prior the incidents. Nord Stream 2 construction was finalized; however it was never activated. The incident is under investigation, with multiple countries investigating cause.
Shipping is advised to stay safe in these areas and pay close attention to all navigational warnings.
