The Company's gas exports to the countries beyond the FSU amounted to 17.9 billion cubic meters, which is 35.5 per cent (or 9.8 billion cubic meters) lower than the figure for the same period of 2021.

Russia sees the decision of the European Commission to classify nuclear energy and gas as clean energy sources as "important" and expects it to come into force in the next six months, Novak said.

The $11-billion pipeline, which has faced stiff opposition from the United States and some European states, was built last September across the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, but has been idle pending German and EU regulatory clearance.

Estimates by Eurostat showed emissions by business activity amounted to 881 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents, up 6% from the third quarter of 2020 when COVID-19 related restrictions had induced a sharp economic contraction.

Austrian oil company OMV is one of Russian gas giant Gazprom's partners in the pipeline project connecting Russia to Germany, which has been completed but is not yet operational as it is awaiting German and EU regulatory approval.

The Joint European Torus (JET) is the largest and most powerful operational tokamak machine, where temperatures can reach levels 10 times hotter than the centre of the sun.

She did acknowledge, however, that Gazprom was fulfilling its contracts, "but only at the bottom end of its commitments."

"Aside from a few additional Bcms which could be squeezed out of (mainly LNG) exporters -- probably only on an emergency basis -- there is no substantial, immediately available gas which could compensate for any significant interruption of Russian gas supplies,"

The Commission said that, after taking account of scientific advice and current technological progress, it considers there is a role for private investment in gas and nuclear activities in the transition.

Nord Stream 1 appeared to be returning to full capacity, according to the operator's data, with hourly gas flow nominations reaching 73 GWh since the start of Feb. 1 gas day, compared with 69 GWh/h for Jan. 31.