A leak has been detected in the Druzhba pipeline which supplies crude oil from Russia to Germany, the pipeline’s operator PERN said in a statement on Wednesday.
PERN said the leak was first detected Tuesday evening and located on one of the two lines of the western section of the pipeline, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Polish city of Plock. The operator said “pumping on the damaged line was immediately switched off” but supplies were still continuing to their German partners and they were now investigating what caused the damage.
A spokesperson for Germany’s finance ministry said that initial information from Polish Authorities showed it was “assumed that the damage was accidental, not sabotage” but said the incident was still being investigated.
The spokesperson confirmed there had been a pressure drop in the Druzhba pipeline on Tuesday but stressed that Germany’s supplies were still “guaranteed”.
“The two refineries in Schwedt and Leuna are currently continuing to receive crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline ‘Friendship 1’ via Poland. These supplies have not been interrupted,” she added.
Some more context: The discovery of this leak comes as Europe is already on high alert after multiple leaks caused extensive damage to both Nord Stream pipelines in September.
Swedish authorities found that the damage in both pipelines had been caused by “detonations” and their investigation had strengthened their “suspicions of gross sabotage.”