EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 79, December 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"s gas exports to Europe set for another record-breaking year
  • Gazprom in the Baltic region: Latvian government buys stake in national pipeline and gas storage operator, Conexus, from German Uniper, as talks with Gazprom and Itera Latvia remain ongoing
• Nord Stream: Nord Stream reaches 200 bcm delivery milestone, as delivery volumes in 2017 increase 13% year-on-year; Danish parliament passes law that could give government the right to block Nord Stream 2 on national security grounds
• Southern Corridor: Gazprom announces record gas exports to Turkey in 2017, but will face new competition from gas supplies from the Shah Deniz 2 project from 2018
• Ukraine: Naftogaz announces another year without gas imports from Russia, as the volume of imports from European suppliers increases year-on-year
• Asia: Gazprom and CNPC sign Heads of Agreement for gas supplies to China from Russia"s Far East, with a contract signing expected in 2018
• Other news:  Novatek"s Yamal LNG export project is launched