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:

• Gazprom is under pressure from all sides. European energy companies request further gas price discounts, export volumes fell in 2012 and are expected to remain weak in 2013, PM Medvedev suggests that Gazprom’s export monopoly could be revoked, and Gazprom faces criticism from Europe and the United States over its bid for Greece’s state-owned gas utility, DEPA.
• Gazprom slaps Naftogaz with a $7bn bill for failing to purchase sufficient amounts of gas in 2012.
• The Czech section of Nord Steam, Gazelle, is launched as Gazprom CEO, Alexei Miller, declares an expansion of Nord Stream to be ‘feasible’ despite the pipeline operating at well below capacity since its launch
• Gazprom and the Croatian State-owned energy company, Plinacro, to set up a joint venture in mid-2013 for the construction of a spur from South Stream into Croatia, while Serbia is set to grant South Stream ‘national status’
• Gazprom signs an agreement with Novatek to produce LNG on the Yamal Peninsula, with Asia the predicted export destination
• Gazprom lobbies the Russian government for Shtokman tax breaks as the Russian government considers revoking the Gazprom-Rosneft monopoly on offshore gas and oil production in Russia

• February 6, 2013

A Chinese navy vessel aimed a type of radar normally used to aim weapons at a target at a Japanese navy ship in the East China Sea, prompting Japan to protest, Japan's defense minister said on Tuesday, an action that could complicate efforts to cool tension in a territorial row between the rivals.

• February 5, 2013

A senior Iranian official says Israel will regret its "latest aggression" against Syria.

• February 5, 2013

North Korea's plans for a new nuclear test, like most things that happen inside the reclusive state, are shrouded in mystery. But that's not stopping analysts and officials from making some informed guesses about what's going on.

• February 5, 2013

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara has said that the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union this year is quite realistic.

• February 4, 2013

Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Ebulfaz Garayev met with Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai.

• February 4, 2013

Iran has announced it will hold talks with world powers over its nuclear programme, in the first sign of diplomatic movement since last year to try to settle the international impasse

• February 4, 2013

If Moscow goes to the Stockholm court to settle its $7-billion claim to Ukraine for the gas Kyiv failed to buy under the existing contract, Ukraine may set up a counter-claim for the gas Moscow failed to pump via Ukraine, Mykhailo Honchar, energy expert , and Maksim Alinov, legal expert

• February 2, 2013