EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 43, December 2014

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