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

The president of Germany’s Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, said on Twitter that the pipeline was running at about 30% of capacity and that this amount was guaranteed for two hours. Müller said, however, that it was unusual for the rate of delivery to change within a day.

Europe is awaiting the return of gas supplies from Russia, amid fears that Moscow will decide to keep the taps almost nearly shut, potentially sparking an energy crisis. Germany has accused the Kremlin of using energy as a “weapon”.

“Moscow is not shying away from using grain and energy deliveries as a weapon. We have to be resolute in protecting ourselves”, - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters earlier this week.

As of Wednesday, German gas reserves were about 65%, according to official estimates.