Russian gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline will resume on time on Thursday after scheduled maintenance is completed, two sources familiar with the export plans told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The natural gas pipeline through which more than 30% of Russian natural gas exports to the European Union are carried out, had stopped the supply of natural gas on July 11 for a period of ten days for its annual maintenance.

Earlier today, the Wall Street Journal, citing European Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn, reported that the European Commission does not expect the pipeline to reopen after maintenance work is completed.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters the pipeline was expected to resume operations in time, but at a reduced capacity of about 160 million cubic metres (mcm) per day.

Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom cut gas exports by 40 percent last month, citing delays in returning a Siemens Energy turbine that had been sent to Canada for maintenance.

“They (Gazprom) will return to pre-July 11 levels,” one of the sources said of gas volumes expected through Nord Stream 1 from Thursday.

The Kommersant newspaper reported yesterday, citing people familiar with the matter, that Canada airlifted the turbine to Germany on July 17 after repair work was completed.

One of the sources said the turbine cannot be reinstalled until July 21. Gazprom and Nord Stream 1 did not respond to requests for comment.

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