EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 58, March 2016

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:
  • Gazprom and the European Commission: Gazprom and EU representatives meet in Brussels to discuss antimonopoly investigation
  • Gazprom on the European market: Gazprom sees y-o-y growth in Q1 European gas exports and predicts record-breaking year in 2016; Gazprom Germania performs first LNG bunkering at port of Rostock; Gazprom and Fluxys sign framework agreement on small-scale LNG cooperation; Gazprom responds to Novatek and Rosneft lobbying for right to export gas to Europe — Decision by Russian government not expected soon
  • Gazprom in the Baltic region: Estonian Eesti Gaas signs 3-year supply contract with Gazprom as Estonian Trillini Energy offers to buy out Gazprom shareholding in Eesti Gaas; Gazprom holds Baltic gas auction
  • Gazprom's European contracts and arbitration: Gazprom chooses not to enforce "take-or-pay" penalty against Greek DEPA; Gazprom and Uniper settle negotiations, end arbitration process
• Nord Stream: Eight European leaders sign letter objecting to Nord Stream 2 and Nord Stream 2 consortium responds; Nord Stream 2 consortium completes tender process for NS-II steel pipes
• Southern Corridor: Russian Deputy Energy Minister claims negotiations underway with 'Southern Europe' states over South Stream revival
• Ukraine: Ukraine passes its first complete winter without Russian gas — Or does it?
• Asia: Gazprom secures €2bn loan from Bank of China; Gazprom CEO visits China, reports "progress" on gas export plans