Spiegel: Germany may nationalize its section of Nord Stream 2

Due to the aggravation of the situation with Russian gas supplies to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the German economy ministry is considering a scenario of nationalization of the German section of Nord Stream 2 and its further connection to a floating LNG terminal.

Germany-based Spiegel newspaper reports citing its sources that the FRG authorities are planning to connect to the mobile LNG terminal the section of the pipeline leading from the land under water. "At the end of the pipeline there is a complete distribution network with compressors and pipelines, through which gas can be transported directly to southern Germany," Spiegel stresses the advantage of the German government's possible plan.

Changing the design of Nord Stream 2, without which it would be technically impossible to nationalize the pipeline, involves high environmental risks. The area with pipes the German authorities are interested in is protected by the Natura 2000 law. It imposes especially strict requirements for any technical interactions with Nord Stream 2. "Every change to the pipeline would require a new approval process, including an environmental impact assessment," Spiegel explains.

The German government also fears retaliation from Russia. "What Germans fear most is that Vladimir Putin and his state-owned company Gazprom will respond to such expropriation with retaliation ... by nationalizing German companies in Russia," the newspaper forecasts the likely consequences of the decision.