It was my understanding that Russia had already shut down the flow of gas to Germany due to the sanctions. Just trying to fully understand what's going down...
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Pipeline is 750 miles long, and 4 foot diameter. It was full of 300 Million cubic meters of natural gas, held at 1,570 psi pressure. The pipeline valves were closed on each end, basically sealing it like a long storage tank full of liquid gas.
Think of it like a really large, very long propane tank for your BBQ (except that's only about 125 psi). It's full of liquefied gas stored under pressure. When the pressure is released (pipe ruptures), the liquefied natural gas escapes, turns to vapor and bubbles to the ocean surface, then dissipates into the atmosphere.
The liquid gas will continue to leak out of the pipeline until there's no more to leak out. Meanwhile, sea water flows into the pipeline. Salt water is extremely corrosive to carbon steel piping and that pipe interior is vulnerable to damage. The pipeline CAN be repaired, sea water purged out of it, pipeline cleaned and returned to service IF it's done within a few months. Maybe 6 months or a year or so is still ok to repair the pipeline. Any longer than that filled with sea salt water... and it's a lost cause.
At only 240 foot depth, it's actually not too hard to cut out a 40 foot long section of damaged pipe, re-weld a new piece in place, seal and concrete coat the pipeline section. However, you can't do it without cooperation with the nearby European countries. Repair and restoration of the pipeline can be done, but it is best sooner rather than later and cannot be done in a hostile environment.
yes, the problem is that terrorists did this. Gazprom are not the army. They are construction crews. They don't like the idea of 'fixing' anything under the threat of terrorism. So, until they figure out the culprit, and who will fix this, with what protections, the pipes will sit there rusting. Maybe things can get sorted. But many Europeans are completely zogged.
The natural gas just in the Nord Stream #2 alone (that's leaking out) was worth about $600 Million (at current prices of $2000 per thousand cubic meters). The gas leaking out of the ruptured Nord Stream #1 is also worth about $600 Million.
No chance of recovery, that's all lost gas.
Russia and Germany could easily cooperate on pipeline repair. However... NOT until the issue of this intentional damage is solved. There's no point to fixing something that might just get damaged again by the same people or nation.
zigackly, SOMEONE is profiting from it, however. I wonder who? Hmmmm.
Those impacted most, are German grandmothers living on a pension, young families with dad working in a factory and mom breastfeeding at home, disabled people, and children. Also, those refugees that Germany was so hot to take in.
Then there is Germany's industrial machine. Extend this problem too long, and industry will move their premises elsewhere, taking the jobs with them.
It's truly evil.
The gas that was stored in the pipelines was about 1 weeks worth of full flow for those pipelines.
In terms of German gas usage, Germany uses about 142 Billion cubic meters of imported natural gas per year. The liquefied gas contained in BOTH Nord Stream pipelines combined (currently leaking to atmosphere) would supply Germany's needs for slightly more than a day.