A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas

Key points:

• EU antitrust investigation into Gazprom – victim of the deterioration in EU-Russia relations?
• Nord Stream - Russian sources report imminent ruling from European Commission on OPAL pipeline
• South Stream - Bulgaria halts work on South Stream for a second time. Or does it?; Srbijagas announces that work is proceeding as scheduled, despite last month’s warning from the EU that the project should be halted
• Gazprom and Ukraine - Ukrainian Energy Ministry proposes ‘interim’ agreement with Gazprom, pending results of arbitration; Naftogaz opens pipeline from Slovakia; Ukrainian parliament votes to allow leasing of gas transmission system; Naftogaz returns $10m of ‘unused’ transit fees to Gazprom
• Asia-Pacific region - Gazprom launches construction of ‘Power of Siberia’ gas pipeline to China
• Gazprom takes delivery of its fifth LNG tanker, brings fleet capacity to 800,000 m3; Gazprom gas production in 2014 expected to fall vs. 2013

• September 11, 2014

The Kremlin's prized oil firm Rosneft is cutting staff and production and selling stakes in Siberian fields in the strongest evidence to date that Western sanctions are hurting what was the world's fastest growing oil firm in recent years.

• September 9, 2014

European Union countries will discuss on Wednesday whether to implement new sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine war, the European Commission said on Tuesday, as Kiev urged the 28-nation bloc to move without delay.

• September 9, 2014

Russia signalled on Monday it might ban Western airlines from flying over its territory as part of an "asymmetrical" response to new European Union sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

• September 8, 2014

Lithuania's central bank cut its 2014 economic growth forecast on Monday, citing in part Russia's ban on imports on certain foods from several Western countries.

• September 8, 2014

The European Union slapped new economic sanctions on Russia on Friday, but said they could be suspended if Moscow withdraws its troops from Ukraine and observes a ceasefire.

• September 6, 2014

Representatives of Ukraine, the pro-Russian separatist leadership, Russia and the OSCE security watchdog began talks on Friday on resolving the Ukraine conflict.

• September 5, 2014

Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Friday the West would push ahead with new sanctions against Russia over the crisis in Ukraine but said these could be lifted should a proposed ceasefire take hold.

• September 5, 2014