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 could present the results of its antimonopoly investigation into
Gazprom ‘in a matter of weeks’
Turkish Stream: Gazprom CEO and Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources visit intended ‘Turkish
Stream’ pipeline route; Turkish Botaş receives 10 percent discount on gas imports from Gazprom; Turkish
Stream: Pro et Contra
Ukraine: The ‘winter package’; A new dispute over gas supplies to the Donbass; Gazprom awaits advance
payments for March gas supplies as time runs out on the ‘winter package’
Belarus: Gazprom Transgaz Belarus named ‘top taxpayer’ in Belarus; Belarus settles payments for Russian
gas in roubles; Gazprom to invest in Belarusian gas transmission and gas storage
China: Gazprom seeks Asian investment and loans, receives top credit rating from Chinese agency; Gazprom
promises exports to China still on schedule
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 again delays ruling on Gazprom’s usage of the OPAL pipeline
Nord Stream: Gazprom abandons plans for Nord Stream extension
South Stream: Gazprom agrees to buy out its European partners in South Stream Transport
Turkish Stream: Gazprom agrees on a route for ‘Turkish Stream’ with its Turkish partners, as Botaş is named as the Turkish representative in the project
- Is Gazprom’s determination to reduce dependence on Ukrainian gas transit realistic?
Ukraine: Gazprom calls on Naftogaz to pay its debts and reminds them that the ‘Winter Package’ will end on the 1st of April
Belarus: Gazprom could shut down its representative office and concentrate its activities in the HQ of its Belarusian subsidiary, Gazprom Transgaz Belarus
China: Gazprom launches increased gas production in the Yamal Peninsula, leading to speculation that this gas is destined for export to China
- Gazprom Marketing & Trading Singapore signs long-term contract with Yamal LNG
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
European Commission extends deadline for final decision on OPAL pipeline to the end of January 2015
Gazprom and BASF abandon asset-swap agreement
Gazprom resumes gas supplies to Ukraine, the first since June 2014
- Background of the dispute
- The importance of gas storage reserves in Ukraine
Gazprom signs new gas supply and transit contracts with Belarus to cover 2015-17
Russia and China sign framework agreement on second pipeline, via the ‘western route’
- Background of the ‘eastern route’
- Comparing the two projects
Estonia imports first gas via Lithuania, a symbolic first step away from Russia
Special Report on South Stream as Gazprom Abandons the Project and Announces a New Gas Pipeline to Turkey
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 In-Depth Report on South Stream
Gazprom abandons project, proposes new pipeline to Turkey
On the 1st of December, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, made a significant announcement: the South Stream gas pipeline project has been abandoned, and Gazprom is proposing a pipeline to Turkey as a replacement.
The in-depth report that follows provides background information on the South Stream project, and highlights the difficulties faced by the project long before the decision was taken to abandon it. The report then considers the merits of the proposed alternative – a pipeline to Turkey – before concluding with an analysis of the winners and losers from the decision to abandon South Stream. READ MORE
EGF Editorial |
Опубликовано на EGF: 11.12.2014
| 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
Key points:
European Commission further postpones ruling on use of OPAL pipeline
Gazprom and Wintershall finalise asset-swap, as Gazprom gains control of Europe’s largest underground gas
storage facility (UGSF)
Lithuania breaks free of Gazprom monopoly with first LNG delivery
Gazprom and Naftogaz agree on short-term ‘winter package’ until March 2015 to ensure gas supplies and
transit during the upcoming winter
Nord Stream: Nord Stream AG deny reports that plans to extend Nord Stream to the UK will be shelved amid
tensions between Russia and the EU
South Stream: Hungarian MVM shows its support for Gazprom with gas storage deal; MVM also pledges to
complete the Hungarian section of South Stream by 2017
Gazprom CEO holds talks, discusses funding from Chinese banks and gas supply via the ‘Western Route’
Gazprom refills Serbian gas storage facility to capacity in preparation for winter
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
Key points:
EU antitrust investigation: suspended but not finished
Lithuanian government continues with arbitration case against Gazprom
Gazprom struggles to meet European gas demand beyond contracted levels as winter approaches
European gas prices continue to fall – Gazprom could face revenue shortage
Gazprom and Ukraine – new round of trilateral gas talks imminent as winter approaches
Gazprom reduces gas supplies to Poland, Slovakia, and Austria – a warning against ‘reverse flow’?
Hungary sides with Gazprom against Ukraine
Nord Stream: European Commission delays decision on OPAL pipeline until 31st of October
South Stream: EU cannot halt South Stream construction, but threatens action upon completion of the pipeline
South Stream: EU puts pressure on Serbia to halt South Stream construction
Gazprom could sign second contract for gas deliveries to China, this time via the ‘Western Route’
Gazprom agrees to expand the capacity of Blue Stream pipeline from 16 bcm to 19 bcm per year
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
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 and the EU – EU antitrust investigators continue to prepare ‘statement of objections’; Gazprom excluded from expanded EU sanctions list
Nord Stream – Planned capacity auction for OPAL cancelled, as European Commission postpones ruling indefinitely
South Stream - Gazprom subsidiary Centrgaz is awarded the construction contract for South Stream in Serbia; Bulgarian government willing to listen to the European Commission over South Stream; European Commission recommends that Serbia halt work on South Stream pending legal clarifications
Gazprom and Ukraine - Naftogaz and Ukrainian government announce plan to avoid Russian gas imports until March 2015; Ukrainian government and Naftogaz disagree over reports of reduced gas deliveries from Europe to Ukraine; Gazprom and Naftogaz arbitration cases could be combined
Asia-Pacific region - Gazprom continues design process for proposed Vladivostok LNG terminal
Elena Burmistrova replaces Alexander Medvedev as Director-General of Gazprom Export
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:
Lithuania’s competition authority fines Gazprom $48m for ‘failing to comply with merger conditions’ in relation
to its shareholding in Lietuvos Dujos, thus stifling competition in Lithuania’s gas market
Gazprom sells its stakes in Lietuvos Dujos and Amber Grid
European gas companies negotiated an average discount of 20 percent in 2013-14, according to Cedigaz
Gazprom implements prepayment in Ukraine, meaning that Naftogaz will only receive gas for which it has
already paid. Given that Naftogaz failed to pay up front for its June gas supplies, the practical result was the
suspension of Gazprom deliveries to Naftogaz
Bulgaria halts construction of South Stream, pending EU concerns over the tender process for its construction
on Bulgarian territory
Gazprom and OMV confirm Austria’s entry into the South Stream project
Gazprom expects $25bn pre-payment in China gas deal, but terms yet to be finalised
Rosneft claims that a Gazprom monopoly on domestic pipelines in the Russian Far East would be illegal, and
promises legal action to secure its right to supply Russian consumers in the region
Results of Gazprom's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
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 and Lecturer in Energy Politics at the European University of St Petersburg
Key points:
Special report on the Gazprom-CNPC gas deal: Gazprom was always unlikely to achieve ‘European’ prices for its gas exports to China, but the deal with CNPC is crucial to the development of gas production and transportation in East Siberia and Russia’s Far East
In-depth report on the latest developments in the Gazprom-Naftogaz dispute: Gazprom switches to pre-payment, and demands that Naftogaz pay up front for its June gas supplies. If Naftogaz fails to pay by the 2nd of June, Gazprom’s supplies to Naftogaz to could be halted the following day
EU antitrust damages directive approved by European Parliament, and passed to EU Council of Ministers for final approval
Gazprom and Lietuvos Dujos reach agreement on gas price for Lithuania, as Lithuania continues to negotiate for alternative supplies
Eni signs landmark agreement with Gazprom to switch to spot pricing in existing long-term gas supply contract
South Stream could get a 32 bcm spur from Hungary to Austria
Gazprom Marketing and Trading Ltd and CNPC each agree to buy 3 million tonnes of LNG per year for the next 20 years from Novatek’s Yamal LNG project
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 commented for the author of a “Turkey recap” report on “Turkey-Armenia normalization proceeds (or not) with Baku’s consent”. He thought that: “Pashinyan's government is basically signalling that if there's political will on the Turkish side, relations can be normalized tomorrow. But in the third year of normalization talks, it looks more like an imitation of negotiations.” READ MORE
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 TASHJYAN has recently published research on: “The Battle of the Corridors: Regional Interconnectivity and the Geo-economic future of the Middle East”. He concluded that “[…] it is essential to analyse Russia’s position in the South Caucasus and the logic of “regional interconnectivity” that Moscow is aiming to have land access to the Middle East. Russia views these regions from a holistic perspective, that is those regions have shared historical, cultural, and economic interactions, and are not geographically separated areas.” READ HERE
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, and here for George’s speaking points.
Between 11-13 April 2024, Dr Marat TERTEROV and Dr George Vlad NICULESCU participated in the 27th workshop of the Regional Stability in the South Caucasus Study Group of the PfP Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes on “Does the European Union Need a Strategy for the South Caucasus?”, held in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova). Please click here for the programme and agenda outline, here for George’s speaking points, and here for the ensuing Policy Recommendations.
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