LONDON (Dispatches) - Russia’s main gas pipeline to Europe was not reopen as planned on Saturday, adding to concerns about energy supplies this winter.
State energy firm Gazprom said it found a leak on Nord Stream 1, meaning it could be closed indefinitely.
The pipeline, which runs to Germany, has been shut for three days for what Gazprom described as maintenance work.
Europe accused Russia of using its gas supplies to blackmail Europe amid the Ukraine conflict, which Moscow denies.
Energy prices have soared since Russia-Ukraine war and scarce supplies could push up costs even further.
There are growing fears families in the EU will be unable to afford the cost of heating this winter.
The UK could also be affected. Although not reliant on Nord Stream 1 for its gas, the pipeline suspension could drive the cost of wholesale gas up further, which has been behind the spiralling rise in the energy price cap.
The stand-off with Russia has forced countries to fill their own gas supplies, with Germany’s stores increasing from less than half in June to 84% full today.
As a result, international gas prices have fallen in the past week, but remain high by normal standards.
Europe is attempting to wean itself off Russian energy in an effort to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance the war, but the transition may not come quickly enough.
EU Council President Charles Michel said Russia’s move was “sadly no surprise”.
The gas pipeline stretches from the Russian coast near St Petersburg to north-eastern Germany and can carry up to 170 million cubic meters of gas a day.