SIEGY - Gazprom says no proof of return of Nord Stream turbine

Gazprom ( OTCPK:OGZPY ) appears to cast doubt on the return of gas flows on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, saying on Wednesday it cannot guarantee the safe operation of the vital pipeline from Russia to western Europe because of doubt over the return of a turbine from Canada.

Gazprom said it "does not possess any documents that would enable Siemens to get the gas turbine engine... out of Canada... in these circumstances, it appears impossible to reach an objective conclusion on further developments regarding the safe operation" of a compressor station at the Russian end of the pipeline.

The Canadian government said early this week that it had issued a permit to allow the return of the turbine for Nord Stream 1's Portovaya compressor station.

Siemens ( OTCPK:SIEGY ) said its experts are " working intensively on all other formal approvals and logistics " following the political first step from Canada.

Nord Stream 1 has been shut down since Monday for annual maintenance that is scheduled to last until July 21, and German officials are concerned that Russia may not resume gas deliveries at all .

For further details see: