EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 72, May 2017

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

Key points:

• Gazprom and the EU:
  • Gazprom on the European market: Gazprom and European Commission representatives set for further meetings to discuss Gazprom"s antitrust proposals in light of stakeholder feedback
  • Gazprom in the Baltic region: Finnish government formally proposes opening of Finnish gas market to competition from 2020; Latvijas Gāze gains competitors on the Latvian gas market: Latvian Latvenergo and Lithuanian LDT
• Nord Stream: European Commission hoping for mandate to negotiate with Russian government over Nord Stream 2
• Southern Corridor: Gazprom begins offshore construction of Turkish Stream pipeline
• Ukraine: Arbitration Institute of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce makes first ruling in Gazprom-Naftogaz arbitration case
• Asia: Gazprom and CNPC open two-way temporary checkpoint on the Russia-China border for construction of Power of Siberia; Gazprom signs several memoranda on potential gas-sector projects in China at the Belt & Road Forum in Beijing
• Other news: Gazprom reserve additions greater than annual production for 12th year in a row; Gazprom shows year-on-year increase in gas sales on St Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX)