Europe Braces for Russia Gas Disruption This Week—and Years of Higher Energy Prices Ahead

Russia is set to shut down its vital Nord Stream natural gas pipeline for maintenance on Wednesday, leaving Europe guessing again over whether supplies will resume as temperatures plummet and demand for the fuel rises.

Regardless of the outcome, European officials and energy managers say the continent has faced high energy prices and potential shortages for years as efforts to replace Russian imports collide with limited supplies elsewhere and regulations barring the use of hydrocarbons.