An explosion in a section of a pipeline in western Russia that carries natural gas to Europe killed three people on Tuesday but did not affect export supplies, authorities said.
The explosion ripped apart a section of the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhhorod pipeline in the Chuvash region during repair work. Regional authorities said three repair workers were killed and one injured in the blast that sent a huge plume of fiery gas into the air.
Originating from a gas field in Siberia and crossing Ukraine on its way to Europe, the pipeline is one of the main routes for Russian gas exports to EU nations.
Chuvashia Governor Oleg Nikolayev said in televised remarks that it was not immediately clear how long it would take to repair the section of the pipeline severed by the blast. The regional arm of Russian natural gas giant Gazprom said gas transit volumes were not affected by the explosion as supplies have continued on parallel links.
The pipeline through Ukraine has become the main conduit for the supply of Russian natural gas to Europe since an explosion punctured the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea in September, causing extensive damage.
Swedish investigators have found traces of explosives in the two Baltic Sea gas pipelines that were damaged in an act of “serious sabotage”, but have not wanted to blame anyone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the West of blowing up gas pipelines and has singled out the United States for profiting from attacks on Europe’s energy infrastructure, while some Nordic and other European media outlets have alleged Moscow’s involvement.
Nord Stream 1 carried Russian gas to Germany until Moscow cut off supplies in late August, citing equipment problems. But the German authorities consider that it is due to a political decision to push up prices and create uncertainty.
Nord Stream 2 never entered service, as Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia sent forces to Ukraine in February.