EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 25, June 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:

• The Lithuanian Supreme Court postpones its hearing of Gazprom"s complaint against the Lithuanian Court of Appeal; RWE Supply and Trading CZ wins a gas price dispute with Gazprom in the Vienna Commercial Court; Gazprom fails to bid for Greece"s gas distribution system operator, DEPA; Gazprom officially announces its plans to construct an LNG export terminal on Russia"s Baltic coast; Gazprom predicts a year-on-year increase in gas exports in 2013
• Gazprom pays Ukraine $1bn in an advance for gas transit fees until 1st of January 2015; Gazprom is not pursuing legal action against Naftogaz Ukraine for failing to meet its "take or pay" commitments; There are no ongoing talks about the establishment of a consortium to manage Ukraine"s gas transportation system (GTS)
• Gazprom continues to examine the potential for a second line of the Yamal-Europe pipeline to Europe via Belarus
• Gazprom confirms that the construction of South Stream"s offshore section will begin in the second quarter of 2014, to be launched in 2015; Collapse of the Nabucco pipeline project clears the way for South Stream in South-East Europe
• Gazprom and GDF Suez agree to explore the possibility of expanding the Nord Stream pipeline
• Gazprom and CNPC aim to sign gas supply contract by the end of 2013; Gazprom and the Japan Far East Gas Co. Ltd sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the latter"s participation in Gazprom"s Vladivostok LNG project.
• Gazprom"s Chairman and Chief Executive are re-elected at the company"s Annual General Meeting; CNPC purchases a 20 percent stake in Novatek"s Yamal LNG project