Thread by @jupawlak

Good Morning. A follow-up #thread on the (admittedly) overwhelming response on my first one yesterday regarding the #NordstreamLeaks in the #BalticSea

https://twitter.com/jupawlak/status/1574706752691511299?s=20&t=bBVXnsuMTMoglhzF3gm-kg

#Nordstream1 #NordStream2 #Sabotage #seabed #Pipeline

It was suggested correctly, as by @AlexvB___, that there is also the possiblity to move *within* the pipelines. But how to do that? Let´s take a (bit technical) look 🔎:

The >1200km length (each!) of the pipelines have to be serviced and cleaned, too. For that, pipelines as #Nordstream use a special device, the Pipeline inspection Gauge - in German called #Molch
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigging

Fortunately, reports exist on the cleaning and maintance of the #Nordstream1 pipeline. The operaters use three different devices for that:

1) A first Molch for calibration (Kalibriermolch) is used to check on any anomalities within the pipeline, particularly regarding the inner diameter. It´s 1,5t in weight and 2,2m long and needs 4-5 days to cross. The calibration is most important for the 2nd to start action:

2) That´s the Molch for actual cleaning (Reinigungsmolch). Every two years its scheduled to clean the pipeline, mainly from dust or potential inner corosion. It weights 1,8t and has a length of 2,6 meters, and also needs 4-5 days to cross the pipeline.

3) The final and probably most interesting device is the intelligent Molch (intelligenter Inspektionsmolch). It does not only include sensors to check for the pipeline, but is actually driving on tires - to be completely traceable for the operators where the Molch is currently at

It is said its best speed is 1,5 meters per second, but this can be adapted at the operators´ will with a bypass valve. This Molch has a weight of 7,3t and a length of 6,6 meters.

This Molch however needed 10 days during the initial cleaning of the Nordstream1 pipeline back in 2013. Also during that operation, the previously operating cleaning molch was able to transport up to 8kg dust during his tour.

Well, what is most interesting point here? According to a #Nordstream report, the only way to induce the inspection gauges, or the #Molch, is via special gates at the Russian starting points of the pipeline. When they finish their tour to Germany, the gauges have to be

...transported manually back to Russia.
That´s it for now on how to move within the Nordstream pipelines. Looking forward on any further information on that!

Background: The information base on official reports by Nordstream nord-stream.com/de/presse-info… and also the @faznet faz.net/aktuell/techni…
The gauges (and also the pictures used here) are made by the ROSEN group rosen-group.com/global.html

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