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 Ukraine: Naftogaz, Gazprom, debts and prices: the saga continues
In a bid to limit its dependence on Russian gas, Naftogaz seeks alternative supplies from Europe
South Stream divides EU as OMV (Austria) breaks ranks to sign deal
EU continues formulating ‘statement of objections’ in antitrust probe as Gazprom and EU representatives
confirm interest in retaining mutually beneficial energy relations
Russian government seeks talks with EU over energy legislation in possible first step towards WTO arbitration
Gazprom claims progress in talks with CNPC, expects contract to be signed in May
Gazprom reports 2013 financial results in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS)
Gazprom and Turkey consider expansion of Blue Stream from 16 bcm to 19 bc
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 Ukraine: A tense month dominated by political relations between Russia and Ukraine, and
by commercial relations between Gazprom and Naftogaz, as debts and price negotiations leave Naftogaz in a
difficult situation
EU antimonopoly investigation into Gazprom could be delayed by crisis in EU-Russia relations; Gazprom’s
deals in Germany and the UK come under renewed scrutiny in context of current international tensions
Nord Stream: EU delays resolution of OPAL exemption
South Stream: Uncertainties remain, despite Gazprom’s optimism and the signing of a contract with Saipem
for the laying of South Stream’s offshore section
Gazprom CEO expects to sign contract with CNPC in May
Gazprom plans for access to Crimean gas deposits and a doubling of gas production in the region
A month of milestones, as Gazprom celebrates 50m tonnes of LNG exports from Sakhalin-II and 100 bcm of
gas exports via Blue Stream
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:
The calm before the storm: Gazprom fails to assuage EU concerns over pricing as EU continues preparing statement of objections in antitrust investigation
Gazprom set to extend contract with Greece
Gazprom agrees to withdraw from management of Amber Grid, and offers Lithuania lower gas price
Russian loan to Ukraine strongly tied to Naftogaz’s debt to Gazprom
Nord Stream AG completes feasibility study for expansion, with UK as target market
South Stream consortium signs pipe supply contract for offshore section as Gazprom presses ahead with the project, despite uncertainties
Gazprom and Shell sign roadmap for third LNG train at Sakhalin-II
Gazprom HQ could relocate from Moscow to St. Petersburg by 2015
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:
EU continues to prepare Statement of Objections despite Gazprom’s December proposals for an early
settlement
Gazprom breaks record in gas exports to Europe in 2013 with 16 percent y-o-y increase in gas export volumes
Gazprom-OMV contractual adjustments ‘unaffected’ by EU antimonopoly investigation
Dutch gas production set to decline in 2014-15 – Could Gazprom fill the gap?
Putin outlines Russia’s position regarding Ukraine: the gas debt still needs to be paid and the Russian
government is prepared to work with whoever is in power in Ukraine
Nord Stream: EU and Gazprom agree on full use of OPAL pipeline
EU and Russia continue to negotiate over the application of Third Party Access legislation to the South Stream
project
Gazprom plans to sign deal with CNPC (China) in May, during Putin visit to China
Gazprom completes 100 percent takeover of ArmRosGazprom (Armenia)
Gazprom adds fifth tanker to its LNG carrier fleet
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:
Gazprom prepares to settle in EU Antitrust investigation
Gazprom finalises asset-swap with BASF Wintershall, with deal approved by EU competition watchdog
Russia offers Ukraine 33 percent discount on gas price as part of package designed to keep Ukraine in
Russia’s political orbit
Nord Stream: EU and Gazprom to agree terms for use of OPAL pipeline in early 2014
South Stream faces legal hurdles as European Commission claims aspects of South Stream’s
intergovernmental agreements are in breach of EU law
Gazprom fails to conclude deal with CNPC before year end
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:
Russian Parliament approves government bill to liberalise Russia’s LNG exports
Gazprom’s gas exports to Europe to hit five-year high in 2013
Novatek emerges as a new supplier of Russian gas to Europe by signing LNG contract with Spanish Fenosa
Gazprom-Lithuania dispute reaches Court of Justice of the European Union
Gazprom warns Europe over Ukrainian gas transit this winter, as Naftogaz Ukraine briefly suspends gas
purchases from Gazprom in mid-November and Ukraine fails to sign an Association Agreement with the EU
Gazprom starts work on Serbian section of South Stream
Gazprom representatives remain confident that Gazprom will conclude a contract with China National
Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) before the end of 2013
Gazprom founds joint venture with PetroVietnam for the development of gas as a transportation fuel
Tug-of-war over Severenergia symbolic of the competition between Rosneft, Gazprom, and Novatek
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:
Special In-Depth Report: Gazprom loses export monopoly as Novatek and Rosneft win the right to export LNG
Gazprom’s exports to Europe in October jump 17% y-o-y as year-to-date exports increase 16% y-o-y; European
Commission Antitrust Regulators prepare charges against Gazprom
Gazprom demands that Naftogaz pay overdue $900m gas bill for August gas supplies a month ahead of the
Ukrainian government’s planned signing of a Free Trade and Association Agreement with the European Union
South Stream construction begins in Bulgaria with aim of December 2015 launch
Gazprom and CNPC to finalise deal by year end: Russian Energy Minister
Gazprom launches its first solo offshore gas production project
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’s Q1 profits rise due to increased sales revenues and reduced ‘retroactive payments’ to European
energy; Gas price negotiations between Gazprom & Lithuania continue; Russia and EU agree terms of use for
OPAL; Gazprom commissions underground gas storage facility in Kaliningrad and may build Baltic LNG import
and export terminals; EU prepares to charge Gazprom with abusing its dominant market position in Central
and Eastern Europe; Gazprom asset-swap with BASF to be confirmed by early 2014
Ukraine faces delay in beginning of gas supplies from Europe via Slovakia; Gazprom and Ukraine reach a
compromise over the amount of gas needed to be kept in storage to ensure stable transit of Russian gas via
Ukraine in winter 2013-14
The EU leaves South Stream off its list of Projects of Common Interest
Gazprom and CNPC agree major T&Cs for gas supplies to China except for price, resulting in a delay to the start
of construction of a new pipeline from Russia to China
Gazprom predicts losses of $16bn from planned freeze of domestic gas price increases, responds with call to
freeze proposed Mineral Extraction Tax increases
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:
Russia warns EU over anti-monopoly investigation; OMV enters into price-revision talks with Gazprom and
Statoil; Gazprom and GDF Suez agree to revise their gas contract; Gazprom’s European exports rise 9.6 percent
y-o-y in H1 2013, but net profits fall 35 percent; Gazprom cancels calls for bids to prepare project
documentation for the Shtokman project; Gazprom subsidiary to enter the Italian fuel market as Gazprom
plans an expansion of its own natural gas vehicle (NGV) market
Ukraine reduces its imports of Russian gas in favour of supplies from Europe
Russian Stroytransgas to build the overland sections of South Stream in the Balkans
No new developments in Gazprom-CNPC negotiations, but Putin’s meeting with the Chinese President, Xi
Jinping, at the G20 Summit could add fresh impetus
Gazprom wins auction for Moscow power generation utility, MOEK
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:
Lietuvos Dujos prepares to extend its current gas supply contract with Gazprom in exchange for lower prices and offtake commitments; Gazprom to amend its gas supply contract with RWE following Vienna arbitration ruling; Edison is next in line for arbitration with Gazprom following the RWE ruling; Gazprom announces an upward revision of its 2013 gas export forecast and a 29 percent increase in gas exports to Europe in July 2013 versus the same period in 2012
Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukraine reach agreement on reliable gas transit via Ukraine for winter 2013-14
The Armenian government considers handing over its remaining stake in the country’s natural gas monopoly to Gazprom in exchange for lower prices; Gazprom acquires Kyrgyzstan’s natural gas monopoly, Kyrgyzgaz, and pledges substantial investment
The Bulgarian section of South Stream faces delays over environmental reports and construction permits, but Gazprom remains adamant that the project will be completed on schedule; Macedonia to get South Stream branch
Gazprom Germania decides against new UGSF in Triepkendorf, but continues to investigate the possibility of new gas storage facilities near Nord Stream’s landfall; Gazprom continues to press for full use of the OPAL pipeline in Germany; Nederlandse Gasunie complains about the quality of Russian gas delivered via Nord Stream
Gazprom takes delivery of second LNG tanker for the delivery of gas to the Asia-Pacific via the Northern Sea Route
Rosneft increases gas production by 186 percent versus H1 2012, providing further competition for Gazprom in the Russian gas sector; The International Energy Agency (IEA) voices its support for a shift from oil-indexed to spot gas prices; Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering wins tender for up to 16 ice-class LNG tankers for the Yamal LNG project; Moscow hosts the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)
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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