MOSCOWJul 18 – Canada airlifted a Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline turbine to Germany on July 17 after ongoing repair work was completed, the Kommersant daily reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the situation.

Canada’s turbine return to Russia’s Portovaya compressor station, a crucial part of the Nord Stream, has been in the spotlight for a month since Russian power producer Gazprom cut gas supplies to Germany .

Europe has seen Russian gas supplies shrink as energy costs already soar and inflation rises, after the invasion Moscow calls a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine sparked many Western sanctions against Russia.

The Nord Stream 1 is currently undergoing a planned annual maintenance operation, which is due to end on July 21.

The turbine, which is being serviced by German company Siemens Energy, will take another five to seven days to reach Russia if there are no logistical and customs issues, Kommersant reported.

According to the newspaper, the turbine will be shipped from Germany by ship and then transported overland via Helsinki. The equipment is expected to arrive in Russia around July 24, with preparation work taking another three to four days, the newspaper reported.

Nord Stream AG, the pipeline operator, Gazprom and Russia’s Energy Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Siemens Energy declined to comment on Kommersant’s information.

Gazprom said on Saturday it expects Siemens to fully meet its obligations to maintain the gas turbines necessary for the reliable operation of the Nord Stream gas pipeline and power shipments to Europe.