The Nord Stream 1 natural gas pipeline reopened as scheduled early Thursday morning, after being closed for annual maintenance work for 10 days, according to the pipeline operator, Gazprom, DW reported.

Europe is awaiting the return of natural gas supplies from Russia, amid fears that Moscow will decide to keep the taps almost nearly shut, potentially sparking an energy crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed the West and the sanctions imposed on Russia for supply problems. Maintenance of the Siemens-built turbines is conducted at a plant in Canada, and Ottawa had initially blocked the return of one turbine because of the sanctions.

Consequently, Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom reduced natural gas exports through Nord Stream to 40% of normal capacity in late May, and again more drastically in mid-June.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline has a full daily capacity of around 167 million cubic meters of natural gas. Before the maintenance shutdown, Gazprom delivered just 67 million cubic meters

per day.

The repaired turbine is reportedly en route to Russia and expected to arrive on Sunday at the earliest. Putin also warned that as another natural gas turbine was due to be sent for maintenance at the end of this month, energy flows could fall to 20% of capacity from next week.