Estonia discovers it has been maintaining a Russian gas pipeline reserve and moves to shut it down

Local media found that two 22-km pipeline branches owned by Estonian state company Elering run through the Võru district, from Russia through Estonia and Latvia to Lithuania, and onward to the Kaliningrad region. Russia has the right to use it as a backup in emergencies.

Surprisingly, no Estonian energy officials were aware that the country had been keeping this pipeline operational. In July 2023, gas volumes equivalent to 15% of Estonia's annual consumption were transported through it.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal has raised alarm and pledged to decommission the pipeline. Currently, there is no transit, but Moscow retains the legal right to resume flow at any time. To permanently close the loophole, Tallinn will need to negotiate with Latvia, as the main shutoff valve is located on Latvian territory.