Gas prices in Europe surge with halt in Nord Stream pipeline

- Pipeline due to resume supply after Sept. 2 although Gazprom says it will remain closed

The price of natural gas per megawatt-hour in Europe rose by 25.8% to €270.23 on Monday, the latest market data showed.

The October gas contract price on the TTF, the Netherlands-based virtual natural gas trading venue, opened Monday at €275 per megawatt-hour.

At 12.40 p.m. local time (0940 GMT) on Monday, prices showed a 25.8% jump to €270.23 compared to the closing price of €214.66 on Sept. 2.

Gas prices surged after Russian energy company Gazprom announced that natural gas shipments from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Europe have been halted indefinitely.

Gazprom shut down the pipeline between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 for repairs, and supplies were scheduled to resume after Sept. 2, but the company announced the pipeline would remain closed.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov said Monday that shipments via the pipeline could start if sanctions against Russia are lifted as they are prohibiting pipeline maintenance.

By Zeynep Beyza Kilic

Anadolu Agency

energy@aa.com.tr