A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: Gazprom and European Commission representatives meet in Brussels to discuss the antimonopoly investigation; Gazprom’s proposed auction for gas sales to the Baltic is postponed to early 2016 and other Gazprom-related developments in the Baltic region; Gazprom reaches gas price agreement with Finnish Gasum & sells its 25% stake in the company; Gazprom set to divest 50% stake in Bulgarian Overgas
Nord Stream: EU member states divided over Nord Stream II; Nord Stream II in the context of EU gas market legislation: An emerging debate
Turkish Stream: Turkey vows to reduce dependence on Russian gas, searches for alternatives
Ukraine: Gazprom & Naftogaz CEOs meet in Moscow as the two sides debate prices & volumes; Gazprom suggests that transit of Russian gas via Ukraine will continue after 2019; The question of Ukraine’s debt to Russia remains; Ukraine receives shipment of South African coal as Russia and Eastern Ukraine resume coal supplies to Ukraine
Belarus: Belarus expects gas price reduction of $10 per mcm in Q1 2016, talks remain ongoing
Asia: Gazprom and CNPC sign agreement on design and construction of cross-border section of ‘Power of Siberia’ pipeline and plan for construction of gas-fired power plants in China; Gazprom to propose ‘third route’ to China by July 2016; Gazprom may purchase gas from other suppliers to meet its Chinese commitments
Other: Oil prices continue to fall as Brent Crude reaches lowest price since 2004, hitting Gazprom’s oil-indexed long-term contracts
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: Gazprom prepares auction for gas exports to Baltic states; Lietuvos Dujos subsidiary in
talks over contractual gas supplies from Gazprom in 2016; Polish PGNiG hoping for discount from Gazprom
as talks continue despite arbitration; Poland’s LNG terminal set to receive first delivery; Gazprom reportedly
considering selling stake in Interconnector pipeline
Nord Stream: ENGIE increases its stake in Nord Stream II to 10 percent as the sides mark the 40th anniversary
of the first contract for Russian gas deliveries to France; OMV CEO pledges that Nord Stream II will be built in
accordance with 3rd Energy Package
Turkish Stream: New Turkish government changes stance in gas negotiations with Russia, proposing that
issues of gas prices and Turkish Stream be de-coupled; Negotiations over Turkish Stream suspended following
crisis in Russia-Turkey diplomatic relations
Ukraine: Naftogaz not planning on further pre-paid purchases of Russian gas before end of 2015, keeping
options open for Q1 2016; Situation in Crimea impacts Ukrainian energy supplies
Asia: Russian Supreme Court registers Gazprom appeal over Third Party Access to Sakhalin gas pipeline;
Gazprom Deputy Chairman travels to Beijing for meeting with representatives of CNPC and PetroChina to
discuss progress in the Power of Siberia project
Other: Russian Ministry for Natural Resources plans auction for Murmanskoye gas field, Gazprom and
Rosneft expected to compete
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: Good news and bad news for Gazprom: sales volumes rising but prices falling in 2015-16; European Commission and Gazprom continue on their dual-track approach to resolving the antimonopoly case; Stalemate over Gazprom’s use of the OPAL pipeline; EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, warns against Nord Stream-II at European Parliament plenary session
Nord Stream: Gazprom CEO suggests that Nord Stream-II gas could be delivered to south-eastern Europe; Nord Stream-II to enter Baltic Sea at Ust-Luga, not Vyborg; Nord Stream reaches milestone 100 bcm of deliveries, but continues to operate below capacity
Turkish Stream: Turkish Botaş initiates gas price arbitration against Gazprom as Russia-Turkey relations come under strain
Ukraine: Naftogaz prepays and resumes imports from Gazprom, without formally signing the ‘Winter Package’ agreement
Asia: Gazprom launches construction of Amur gas processing plant (GPP) as part of the Power of Siberia project; Gazprom hosts working meetings with Mitsui and Mitsubishi to discuss Sakhalin-II LNG terminal expansion; Gazprom Marketing and Trading Singapore (GM&TS) signs 10-year LNG sale-and-purchase agreement with Singaporean state-owned Pavilion Gas for exports to the Asia-Pacific region
Other: Gazprom launches construction of second line of Ukhta-Torzhok pipeline
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: Gazprom submits response to EU antitrust ‘statement of objections’, one week after submitting its own proposals in the hope of an out-of-court settlement; Gazprom and Wintershall complete their asset swap; Gazprom and OMV sign preliminary agreement on asset-swap
Nord Stream: OMV Gazprom signs shareholder agreement with Wintershall, E.ON, ENGIE, OMV and Shell for Nord Stream II
Turkish Stream: Gazprom proposes reduction of Turkish Stream project to two lines with 32 bcm capacity, with negotiations on hold until after Turkish elections on 1st of November
Ukraine: Uncertainty reigns for Gazprom and Naftogaz as winter approaches
Asia: Gazprom continues to promote the expansion of the Sakhalin-II LNG export terminal; US sanctions against the Yuzhno-Kirinskoye gas field – clarification; The significance of US sanctions against the Yuzhno-Kirinskoye gas field; Power of Siberia Eastern Route: back to square one?; Gazprom hopes to sign deal on ‘Western Route’ of Power of Siberia in 2016
Other: Gazprom Export holds its first auction for gas exports, marking the beginning of ‘spot price’ pipeline exports
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: Gazprom-PGNiG gas price talks at ‘an advanced stage’; Gazprom and Eni pledge to
continue close cooperation; Calm before the storm: Gazprom Deputy Chairman meets EU Competition
Commissioner, with Gazprom due to reply to EU antimonopoly ‘Statement of Objections’ by the 28th of
September
Nord Stream: OMV CEO Seele confident of EU approval for Nord Stream II, meets with Gazprom CEO Miller to
discuss joint venture for the project
Turkish Stream: Stop and go – Russia and Turkey continue trading proposals, but real progress not expected
until formation of new Turkish government in November; SE European Foreign Ministers could meet in
September to discuss the ‘Tesla’ extension to Turkish Stream
Ukraine: EU Commissioner for Energy Union meets with Ukrainian Energy Minister and Naftogaz CEO, and
plans meeting with Russian Energy Minister in September ahead of next round of trilateral talks; Gazprom
CEO expresses concerns over Naftogaz winter gas storage
Belarus: Gazprom begins construction of Gazprom Centre in Minsk, set to be ‘the tallest building in Belarus’
Asia: Shell participation in Sakhalin-III in doubt as US imposes sanctions on the project; Gazprom reports
‘good dynamics’ in ongoing negotiations with PetroChina and CNPC over pipeline deliveries of Russian gas to
China, despite concerns over the commercial viability of the projects
Other: Gazprom’s annual gas production could reach record low in 2015, as the company also cuts its sales
price forecast
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: Stockholm Arbitration Institute completes oral hearing in Gazprom-Lithuania case;
Polish state-owned PGNiG gains controlling stake in EuroPolGaz, operator of the Yamal-Europe pipeline in
Poland, leaving Gazprom with minority stake; Greek Energy minister announces €2bn pipe dream project
with Russia
Nord Stream: Gazprom courts BASF and ENGIE (formerly GDF Suez) for Nord Stream II
Turkish Stream: the Turkish government grants permission for Gazprom to conduct engineering surveys in its
territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, but Gazprom and Botaş yet to reach agreement on gas price
discount; Russia and Greece sign Memorandum on extension to Turkish Stream in Greece
Ukraine: Naftogaz maintains suspension of gas imports from Russia; Gazprom softens its tone on gas transit
via Ukraine after 2019; Gazprom remains locked in transit contracts with Slovakia and Bulgaria, regardless of
its transit contract with Naftogaz
Belarus: Gazprom to invest $2-2.5bn in Belarusian gas infrastructure by 2020; Gas transit via Belarus reached
11.1 bcm in Q1 2015 – exactly the same as in Q1 2014
Asia: Gazprom turns to South Korean expertise for floating LNG terminal in Kaliningrad, and continues to
promote its planned Baltic LNG terminal as a source of small-scale deliveries to Kaliningrad
Other: Turkmenistan Oil and Gas Ministry criticises Gazprom for accruing debts for Turkmen gas in 2015;
Gazprom’s gas production in H1 2015 falls 13 percent year-on-year
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: European Commission extends deadline for Gazprom’s response to the Statement of Objections to mid-September 2015; Gazprom and Gasunie sign framework agreement on small-scale LNG cooperation
Nord Stream: Gazprom announces signing of Memorandum of Intent for third and fourth lines of Nord Stream; Russia opens up possibility of non-Gazprom exports via Nord Stream through gas export auctions
Turkish Stream: Turkish government grants permission for Gazprom to conduct engineering surveys in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, but Gazprom and Botaş yet to reach agreement on gas price discount; Russia and Greece sign Memorandum on extension of Turkish Stream in Greece
Ukraine: Naftogaz suspends gas imports from Russia on 1st of July, having failed to make pre-payment
China: Gazprom and Shell sign Memorandum on adding third train to the Sakhalin-II LNG export project; Yamal LNG clinches two new LNG export deals as it seeks to pre-sell its export volumes; China officially launches construction of ‘Power of Siberia’ gas pipeline, as Gazprom and CNPC discuss possibility of Rouble-Yuan denominated contracts
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: PGNiG files a lawsuit in Stockholm arbitration court, seeks renegotiation of gas price formula; British energy company, Centrica, increases gas imports from Gazprom and Statoil
Turkish Stream: Gazprom claims that Turkish Stream offshore construction will begin in first half of June 2015, and first gas supplies will be delivered by end of 2016; Greek government expresses support for all aspects of ‘Turkish Stream’ – except for the name, of course
Ukraine: A curious mixture of threats and promises in the Gazprom-Naftogaz relationship:
o Gazprom continues to provide gas to Naftogaz under pre-payment conditions, in line with extension of the ‘Winter Package’;
o Naftogaz increases imports of Russian gas, benefits from continuation of discount and oil-indexed prices;
o Gazprom agrees not to implement financial penalties for Naftogaz’s failure to meet its take-or-pay commitments during the winter package;
o Naftogaz submits its Statement of Claim in its gas transit arbitration case against Gazprom – seeks $10bn in addition to its $6bn claim relating to ‘overpayment’ for gas supplies;
o Gazprom CEO claims that company is seeking $29bn in its arbitration case with Naftogaz;
o The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine launches its own investigation into Gazprom
o Naftogaz begins stockpiling gas for the winter, but Gazprom express concerns that it is not storing enough to ensure a winter of risk-free gas transit
Belarus: Gazprom Transgaz Belarus promotes development of natural gas powered vehicles at Belarusian Industrial Forum, supported by the Belarusian President
China: Russian President ratifies Intergovernmental Agreement with China on gas supplies via the eastern route, as Gazprom and CNPC sign Heads of Agreement of gas supplies via the western (Altai) route
Special Report as the European Commission issues a ‘Statement of Objections’ in its antimonopoly investigation into Gazprom
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Special Report on the European Commission Antimonopoly Investigation into Gazprom
Main points in brief
The European Commission has issued a ‘Statement of Objections’ in its antimonopoly investigation into Gazprom. This statement is essentially a detailed explanation of the European Commission’s grievances, and how it suspects that Gazprom may have breached EU law. Gazprom now has up to 12 weeks to reply. Once Gazprom has responded, the European Commission will make its final decision. If Gazprom is found to have violated EU antitrust regulations, it may face a financial penalty of up to 10 percent of its annual turnover. This could mean a fine of $10-15bn.
READ MORE
EGF Editorial |
Опубликовано на EGF: 12.05.2015
| External Relations
A Snapshot of Key Developments in the External Relations of the Russian Gas Sector
By Dr Jack Sharples, EGF Associate Researcher on the external dimensions of Russian gas and Lecturer in Energy
Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Gazprom and the EU: European leaders agree on ‘greater transparency’ in the EU gas market, but confidentiality of commercial contracts to remain
Turkish Stream: Gazprom implements agreement to buy out its European partners in South Stream; Gazprom waiting for permission to begin survey work on Turkish Stream as Ankara presses for further concessions
Ukraine: Gazprom and Naftogaz extend the ‘winter package’ to cover Q2 2015
Belarus: Belarus to play a role in Gazprom’s import substitution programme
China: Gazprom could postpone the ‘Power of Siberia’ pipeline project and shift focus to the ‘Altai pipeline’ as a means of delivering gas to China; Stroytransgaz awarded contract for laying first 200km of ‘Power of Siberia’
EGF Head of Research, Dr. George Vlad NICULESCU, co-edited a new volume on “Understanding Contemporary Information Landscape Handbook (UCIL)” with the Austrian National Defence Academy and the PfP Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes: “The idea of this Handbook sprang forth from a policy recommendation issued at a past Regional Stability in the South Caucasus Study Group (RSSC SG) workshop: “Create, with the assistance of PfP Consortium volunteers, a Reference Curriculum on Media Literacy, emphasizing the impact of modern communication techniques and social media on human biology, psychology and behaviour. The aim would be to raise awareness of the media as a tool of hybrid warfare, and how to build resilience to it at individual level.” Looking with an academic eye at the final product of our last three years of work I’d conclude that this Handbook is a great success as a valuable education tool for students and teachers in media studies, politics, international relations. READ MORE
EGF Affiliated Expert Benyamin POGHOSYAN appeared in a new episode of the GROONG Podcast where he discussed the negotiations on a US-Iran nuclear deal, the status and prospects of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, and the significance and implications of the Victory Day military parade in Moscow. WATCH HERE
EGF Affiliated Expert Nika CHITADZE published a new book on “World Politics” with the International Black Sea University from Tbilisi, Georgia. The book is divided into four main parts: first part is dedicated to the history and theory of world politics; second part analyses key processes in world politics, such as: globalization, integration, and democratization. Third part describes the basic challenges facing the international community, including arms control and security, conflicts, terrorism, organized crime, failed states, demography, migration, environment, relations between the “Global North” and the “Global South”. The fourth part reviews the main aspects of regulating the political processes in the world with the methods and instruments of foreign policy and diplomacy, and global governance. READ HERE
EGF Affiliated Expert Yeghia TASHJIAN was recently interviewed by the "New Arab" on how developments in Syria impacted Hezbollah's politics and how the Lebanese government should carefully manage its relations with the new administration in Damascus. He was quoted saying: “Hezbollah lost its main Syrian regional power base and key political support system when support for the Assad regime ended. Syria was also an important transit country for smuggling Iranian missiles and weapons to Lebanon. Now that this transit is gone and amid Israeli pressure, Hezbollah feels squeezed between Israel from the south and sky and Syria from the East.”READ MORE
Between 07-10 November 2024, Dr Marat TERTEROV and Dr George Vlad NICULESCU participated in the 28th workshop of the Regional Stability in the South Caucasus Study Group of the PfP Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes on “Connectivity Risks and Opportunities in the South Caucasus”, held in Reichenau a/d Rax (Austria). Please click here for the programme and agenda outline, here for George’s speaking points, here for the policy recommendations, and here for the proceedings of the workshop
Between 10-13 April 2025, Dr George Vlad NICULESCU participated in the 29th workshop of the Regional Stability in the South Caucasus Study Group of the PfP Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes on “Emerging Technologies in Conflict Prevention: Leveraging Technology for Peacebuilding in the South Caucasus”, held in Istanbul (Turkey). Please click here for the programme and agenda outline, and here for George’s speaking points.
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