EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 17, October 2012

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 files a €1.5bn ($2bn) lawsuit against Gazprom, claiming the Russian company has abused its position as monopoly gas exporter to Lithuania since 2004
• RWE Transgas wins a landmark case against Gazprom, as it refuses to pay fines for breaking the "take-or-pay" clauses in its gas supply contract
• Naftogaz reaches an agreement with Germany"s RWE Trading for trial gas supplies via Poland
• Gazprom officially launches the second line of Nord Stream, and announces plans for two additional lines
• South Stream gets the green light to be realised on the territories of Serbia and Hungary, with similar developments expected in relation to Bulgaria and Slovenia in November
• Gazprom confirms the development of the Chayandinskoe gas field and related pipeline infrastructure as part of its plan to increase LNG exports to the Asia-Pacific region
• Gazprom signs a contract for LNG supplies to India and announces an increase in its LNG supplies to South Korea
• Gazprom officially launches gas production at the Bovanenkovo gas field, as part of its Yamal Megaproject
• Rosneft cements its role in Russia"s gas sector, but supports Gazprom"s continued export monopoly