The German Ministry of Economy is considering the possibility of nationalizing a fragment of Nord Stream-2, which is located on the territory of the country, Spiegel writes.

After that, the German part of the pipeline would be cut off from the rest of it and it could be connected to a floating LNG terminal, the publication explains. This section is already included in the country’s gas transportation system and could be used to deliver gas to southern Germany.

To the complexities of this plan Spiegel attributes the need for repeated environmental approvals of works in the protected natural area Natura 2000, as well as the complex status of the owner of the pipeline – the Swiss Nord Stream 2 AG. Also, the seizure of the asset may lead to a retaliatory strike from Russia, “for example, by expropriating German companies in Russia,” the sources of the publication recognize.

Given this prospect, the Habkek ministry is studying the possibility of building a pipeline parallel to the Nord Stream 2 route. This would not eliminate the risk of retaliation, but would reduce it, Spiegel’s sources believe.