SIEGY - Gazprom declares force majeure on some European gas

Gazprom ( OTCPK:OGZPY ) has declared force majeure on gas supplies to Europe to at least one major customer, Reuters reported on Monday, citing a letter in which the Russian gas giant said it could not meet its supply obligations because of "extraordinary" circumstances beyond its control.

German utility Uniper ( OTC:UNPPY ) has formally rejected Gazprom's force majeure declaration, saying the claim is unjustified, according to Handelsblatt .

Over the weekend, Gazprom ( OTCPK:OGZPY ) said it had asked for documents from Siemens ( OTCPK:SIEGY ) that would allow the return of a gas turbine crucial for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to be returned to Russia.

While one of the six major turbines required for the pipeline to operate at full capacity is stranded in Canada, Gazprom ( OTCPK:OGZPY ) claims not all of the turbines in Russia are in working condition, since they are due for maintenance at manufacturer Siemens' facility in Montreal.

Gazprom ( OTCPK:OGZPY ) cut gas deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany by 60% last month.

Flows on the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline are halted for maintenance work due to end on July 21, and German officials are concerned that Russia may not resume gas deliveries at all .

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