Denmark reports Nord Stream 2 leak, while Nord Stream 1 pressure drops

A leak occurred at the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline on September 26, authorities in Denmark have reported, while the operator of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline have meanwhile registered a pressure drop along both strings.

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) said in a statement on September 27 that it had been informed of a major drop in pressure at Nord Stream 2.

"The preliminary assessment indicates that a leak has occurred from one of the two Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Danish area southeast of Dueodde at Bornholm ... from where natural gas is leaking," the DEA said. The Danish Maritime Authority has cornered off the area to ships for safety.

German authorities have also said they are investigating the incident. The Nord Stream 2 operating company, owned by Russia's state-owned Gazprom has also confirmed the leak.  While Nord Stream 2 has never flowed gas commercially, as Germany halted its certification process in late February in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine, it was nevertheless filled with gas to build up pressure.

Meanwhile at Nord Stream 1, the operator reported pressure loss on both strings on September 26, noting it was investigating the causes. That pipeline was closed at the end of August, with Gazprom citing technical problems caused by its inability to get equipment repaired because of Western sanctions. EU politicians have said the shutdown was politically-motivated, however.