Flow of Russian gas via the Yamal-Europe pipeline halted

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The flow of Russian gas westward via the Yamal-Europe pipeline to Germany from Poland ceased on Thursday, according to data from pipeline operator Gascade, while bids remained for supply in both directions.

Russian energy supplies have been in focus amid tensions between the Kremlin and the West and its invasion of Ukraine, which Russia describes as a "special operation".

The German-Polish section of the pipeline reversed flow on December 21, heading east, as customers in Poland drew on stored supplies from Germany instead of buying more Russian gas at high spot prices. 

Unstable Russian gas supplies and high demand as economies recover from the pandemic have led to a surge in gas prices in Europe, Reuters reports.

Gazprom has intermittently sent gas westward via this link in recent days amid high demand in Europe. It has also increased supplies to Europe via Ukraine, another key route. 

Gazprom said on Thursday it was supplying gas to Europe via Ukraine in line with customer requests.

Russian gas accounts for about 40% of European gas demand, while the Yamal-Europe pipeline accounts for about 15% of Russian gas supplies to Western Europe and Turkey.

According to data, westbound gas supply was mostly around 17.5 million kWh/h at the Mallnow measuring point for some 10 hours before the halt.

Data from operator Gascade shows preliminary bids of 6.4 million kWh/h for the next 24 hours for westbound supply, while bids for eastbound flows stand at 6.1 million kWh/h.

Interfax news agency reported that westbound gas supplies were booked for March 3.