From downthread — more detailed, but not particularly enlightening....
To: nypokerface
Last Updated: Monday, 7 May 2007, 15:42 GMT 16:42 UK
Ukraine gas pipeline hit by blast
A blast has destroyed a section of one of the main gas pipelines in Ukraine exporting Russian gas to Europe, Ukraine’s emergencies ministry says.
It says about 30m (98ft) of the Urenhoi-Pomary-Uzhhorod pipeline was damaged by the explosion.
Russia’s state gas state monopoly Gazprom, which controls the export of all Russian gas, said the blast caused no disruptions in supplies to Europe.
No-one was injured in the explosion, officials in Ukraine said.
The blast happened at 1420 (1120 GMT) near the village of Luka in the Kiev region, Ukraine’s emergencies ministry spokesman Ihor Kroll told the BBC.
Mr Kroll said a bypass system was activated, rerouting the flow of gas to Europe.
He said experts were at the site, trying to determine the cause of the blast.
The Urenhoi-Pomary-Uzhhorod is one of three main lines in Ukraine that carry gas to the EU - the biggest gas market for Russia.
Ukraine is a major transit point for Russian gas deliveries to Europe.
15 posted on 05/07/2007 11:05:27 AM CDT by michigander (The Constitution only guarantees the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.)
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I am guessing that this is not self-inflicted. However, with the political crisis in Ukraine right now it’s hard to tell. The Estonians are refusing to cooperate with Moscow to pump oil/NG to Germany and the Russians are working with Slovakia now to try to run NG through them.
Wouldn’t surprise me if the Party of Regions were somehow invloved but I am on a conspiracy kick right now it seems. LOL!
Ukraine builds up gas transit to Europe via alternative routes.
07.05.2007, 20.14
KIEV, May 7 (Itar-Tass) — Ukraine has increased gas transit via the Progress and Soyuz gas carriers following Monday’s blast on the Urengoi-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline, the Fuel and Energy Ministry’s press-secretary, Konstantin Borodin told Itar-Tass.
“The high maneuverability of the Ukrainian gas transportation system has compensated for the temporary idleness of the Urengoi-Pomary-Uzhgorod line. Transit traffic through the other gas carriers, Progress and Soyuz first and foremost, was increased. Certain amounts of gas were borrowed from underground gas holders,” Borodin said.
“The undersupply of gas that may have been caused by the pipeline rupture will be compensated for with greater deliveries by alternative routes. Ukraine has coped with all of its transit commitments. Its gas pipeline system is one of the most diversified in the world,” the Ukrainian Fuel and Energy Ministry’s press-secretary said.
More at link:
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11505997
Hmmm - any more pieces of this puzzle laying around?