Gazprom may lose monopoly on pipeline gas exports

According to Vedomosti, the Russian government is to decide by September 1st about the company or companies, which will be able to supply natural gas to China from new deposits on the east of Siberia and Far East and take part in the construction of the gas transporting system of this region. Will it be Gazprom or other independent producers?

For instance “Rosneft” and “Novatek” can export LNG even now. It happened when the State Duma amended the legislation in November 2013.

At present, the CEO of “Rosneft” I.Sechin wants to participate in the export of Far Eastern gas.

After protracted negotiations, Gazprom signed a contract with China in May 2014. Under the agreement, Gazprom will supply up to 38 billion cubic meters of gas a year via the gas pipeline “Sila Sibiri” during 30 years. They are not about to include independent producers of gas into this project. The Project is valued at $80 billion, of which $25 billion is for pipeline construction. Minister of Finance A.Siluanov and Minister of Economic Development A.Ulyukaev agree with this point. Gazprom can cope with this task by itself.