EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 67, December 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 on the European market: EU Energy Ministers hold debate on security of supply regulation and agree on information-sharing regarding gas contracts; Gazprom sets new record for annual gas exports to Europe; Gazprom and Austrian OMV reach agreement on asset-swap; Statoil follows Gazprom example and agrees on switch from oil to spot-price indexation in its long-term contract with ENGIE
  • Gazprom in the Baltic region: Baltic states agree to create single regional gas market
• Nord Stream: Polish PGNiG launches legal challenge against European Commission ruling on OPAL pipeline
• Southern Corridor: Turkish President signs bill on Turkish Stream as Gazprom signs pipe-laying contract with Swiss Allseas Group Turkish Stream; Gazprom holds talks with Edison and DEPA on possible routes for Russian gas deliveries to Southern Europe
• Ukraine: Kyiv Economic Court upholds request by Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) to enforce recovery of fine imposed on Gazprom in January 2016; Gazprom warns Naftogaz against "unauthorised offtake of gas in transit" following court ruling
• Asia: Gazprom signs Agreements on Strategic Cooperation with Mitsubishi and Mitsui that include plans for expansion of Sakhalin-II LNG export terminal; Gazprom and South Korean KOGAS sign LNG cooperation agreement
• Other News: Merger of Qatargas and Rasgas to create world"s largest LNG-exporting company