US Urges Increased Vigilance Of EU-Bound LNG Tankers After Nord Stream Sabotage

Due to large underwater “explosions” that damaged the Nord Stream pipeline system, European energy infrastructure faces increased security risks. 

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm was quoted by Bloomberg as saying following the “apparent sabotage” of NS1 and NS2 pipelines, EU nations must increase security around energy assets, that includes LNG carriers en route to Europe. 

Granholm said European allies need to launch an “expedited investigation” into identifying the culprits behind the pipeline attacks. She added President Vladimir Putin’s recent move to weaponize natural gas highlights the urgency all EU members have to “evaluate the risks of relying on another entity for their energy.” 

The Baltic Sea region remains “tense” between Russia and NATO, Danish Defense Minister Morten Bodskov said. He expects Russian military forces in the Baltic region to continue their “saber-rattling.” 

Germany deployed warships to assist in the pipeline investigation, said the defense ministry, adding NS1 and NS2 leaks are an “alleged act of sabotage,” which emphasizes the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure: 

“The circumstances of this disturbing event must now be quickly clarified and those responsible identified,” Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said.

“I have already exchanged views on this with my Danish counterpart,” she added. “We have agreed to share information and our navy will contribute its expertise to the investigation.”

Meanwhile, Norwegian energy giant Equinor raised the level of preparedness for all its energy-related assets, including supply locations, installations, helicopter bases, land facilities, and vessels, across Norway, local broadcaster NRK reported. 

Security risks around LNG carriers are something we outlined before the pipeline attacks — since EU states have had to source LNG via tankers due to dwindling Russian supplies via pipelines this summer, leaving many of these tankers sitting ducks in the open water. 

And then watch these floating hindenburgs encounter unexpected if catastrophic “events” as they sail to Europe https://t.co/aoMOWxWDry

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) September 26, 2022

There are a lot of LNG vessels floating around Europe. 

And you never know what could be next… 

Did the CIA also warn Germany about future tanker attacks? 

CIA Warned Germany Of Possible Nord Stream Pipeline Attack https://t.co/jwV0uWSmrV

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) September 27, 2022