EGF Gazprom Monitor, Issue 87, August 2018

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 Research Fellow on the Natural Gas Research Programme, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Key points:

• Gazprom on the European market: WTO publishes ruling on Russian complaint against Third Energy Package; Implications of the WTO ruling for OPAL/Nord Stream; Implications of the WTO ruling for third-country certification regarding TSOs; Implications of the WTO ruling for TEN-E Projects of Common Interest; Moldova does not intend to extend contract with Gazprom, plans connection to European market
• Nord Stream: Nord Stream 2 project company submits alternative route plan to Danish authorities; "Preparatory" works for Nord Stream 2 underway in German waters, as Nord Stream 2 AG aims to complete pipe-laying in Greifswald Bay by end of 2018
• Southern Corridor: Turkish Stream construction works begin in shallow waters off Turkish coast
• Ukraine:  Dispute with Naftogaz leads Gazprom to suspend external borrowing; Gazprom confirms Dutch court arrest of Gazprom shares in Blue Stream pipeline as part of Naftogaz arbitration dispute
• Asia:  Power of Siberia linear section 90 per cent complete