Europe’s biggest buyer of Russian gas is bracing for a further drop in supply next month when a key pipeline shuts for maintenance -- and fears the link may never return to full capacity.
The Nord Stream pipe, already operating at just 40% of normal levels, will be offline for works on July 11-21, tightening a market that’s seen prices soar in recent weeks. That means less gas will be available to pump into storage, jeopardizing German efforts to replenish essential stockpiles ahead of winter.
