Russia & CIS

Russia Lawmaker Suggests Taxing Yamal LNG Over Challenging Gazprom

Russia's flagship liquefied natural gas project, privately-owned Yamal LNG, is challenging state gas giant Gazprom in its core European market, and should either be taxed or have a limit put on its sales there, a lawmaker said.

Russia's Litasco to Financially Help Iraq's Nassiriya Oilfield Double Output

The deal which was approved by the cabinet on Tuesday includes building a 100,000 bpd oil production facility and a 42 km oil pipeline.

Russia's Gazprom Says Natural Gas Fits with Global Climate Goals

Pipeline gas accounted for far fewer emissions than the sea-borne liquefied natural gas, said Elena Burmistrova, head of exports at Russian gas giant Gazprom.

New German CDU leader Supports Nord Stream 2

The new chairman of Germany's ruling Christian Democrats said he would not reconsider his support for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe, despite U.S. and European opposition to its completion.

Pipe-laying Vessel Started Work in Danish Waters for Nord Stream 2

The project, designed to boost Russian gas supplies to Europe and bypass Ukraine, has met resistance from Washington, which wants to sell its own sea-borne liquefied natural gas to the European Union and cut the region's reliance on energy supplies from Moscow.

Tracking Data Shows Russian Pipe-Laying Vessels Head toward Nord Stream 2 Work Site

Russian pipe-laying and other vessels are heading to Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction sites in the Baltic Sea amid U.S. pressure to scrap the project that aims to pump more Russian gas to Europe.

EU Lawmakers Expected to Vote to Block Nord Stream 2

European Union lawmakers are expected to support a resolution to stop the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe, in response to the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Projects

Open Grid Europe Looks to Operate Gas Pipeline in March   Source: Zeelink Open Grid Europe is testing the recently completed $705 million (600 million euro) Zeelink gas pipeline with plans to make it operational, possibly as early as March 2021.   The 134..

Report Indicates Germany's Bilfinger Drops Out of Nord Stream 2 Project

The news comes as the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday slapped sanctions on a vessel helping to build the pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe via Germany.

Russia’s Gazprom Acknowledges Risks About Nord Stream 2 Project

It is not immediately clear how Russian gas producer Gazprom plans to complete construction. Should Nord Stream 2 be suspended or cancelled, Gazprom may face financial claims from contractors, it said in a prospectus.

Germany Responds to U.S. Decision to Sanction Russian Vessel Involved in Nord Stream 2

The United States has informed Germany that it plans to impose sanctions on a Russian pipe-laying ship involved in construction of the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

Zurich Insurance Reportedly Dropping Out of Nord Stream 2 Project

Zurich Insurance Group will drop out of Russia's Nord Stream 2 project in the face of looming U.S. sanctions against European companies that support construction of the $11 billion gas pipeline, two sources familiar with the situation said.

Nord Stream 2 Resuming Work in Danish Waters This Week, TASS reports

Russia said on Wednesday it was confident of completing the project, although two sources said the U.S. State Department had this month told European companies suspected of helping to build the pipeline that they faced possible sanctions.

U.S. State Department Warns of Sanctions Risk on Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

The U.S. State Department this month told European companies which it suspects are helping to build Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that they face the risk of sanctions.

German State to Create Foundation to Facilitate Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Completion

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern plans to set up a foundation to facilitate the completion of Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which will bring Russian gas to Germany.

Croatia Kicks Off LNG Terminal in North Adriatic

Croatia's LNG terminal on the northern Adriatic island of Krk began operations amid the first delivery of gas, said the company which runs the unit.

Russia’s Gazprom Signs Deal on Gas Prices with Belarus for 2021

Russia and Belarus said the two countries signed a deal on gas prices for 2021, easing tensions between the two former Soviet countries.

US Preparing New Sanctions to Impede Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is preparing wider sanctions on the Russian project in coming weeks, senior Trump administration officials said on Wednesday.

Uzbekistan to Cut Gas Exports Amid Domestic Shortages

Uzbekistan will cut natural gas exports, which mostly go to China, because of domestic energy shortages, the Central Asian country's energy ministry said on Thursday.

Russia's Druzhba Pipeline Exports Set to Slide Amid Price Row

Exports of Russian Urals oil via the Druzhba pipeline are likely to fall in the first quarter as sellers have been pressing for higher crude prices that margin-strapped refiners say they can't afford.

Russia Restarts Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Construction Despite U.S. Sanctions

Russia has resumed construction of the politically-charged Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, laying pipes after a one-year hiatus prompted by U.S. sanctions.

Russian Pipelaying Vessel Stops Near Nord Stream 2 Site

The Russian pipe-laying vessel Akademik Cherskiy stopped on Saturday near the construction site of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, Refinitiv Eikon data showed on Saturday.

Chevron Tightens Belt Again with Billions in Spending Cuts

Chevron has cut billions off its long-term capital and exploratory budget, even after a major restructuring of its operations, but plans more Permian and GOM spending in 2022.

China Launches 685-Mile Section of Natural Gas Pipeline

Operations have started on the middle portion of the China-Russia East natural gas pipeline, allowing natural gas from the Power of Siberia system in Russia to be transmitted to a smog-prone region in northern China.

Gazprom Swings to Q3 Net Loss of $3.3B, Raises 2020 Exports Outlook

Russian gas giant Gazprom reported a loss of 251.3 billion roubles ($3.3 billion) for the third quarter due to the weak rouble, the company said on Monday, while it also raised its outlook for gas exports to Europe, a key source of revenue.

Nord Stream 2 to Resume Pipelaying This Year

Russia's Nord Stream 2 said it plans to resume pipelaying work on the short, final stretch of the stalled Moscow-backed gas pipeline to Europe, in spite of U.S. sanctions.

Norway's DNV GL Suspends Nord Stream 2 Work over U.S. Sanctions Fear

Norway's risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL said it has suspended work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project led by Russia's Gazprom for fear of being sanctioned by the United States.

Belarus Plans to Raise Pipeline Tariff on Russian Oil by 25%

Belarus has proposed to increase a tariff it charges Russia for oil transit to Europe by a quarter, raising the stakes in oil supply talks complicated by political upheaval in Minsk, three oil industry sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Russia's Novatek Starts LNG Ship-to-Ship Operations in Murmansk

Russian gas producer Novatek has started ship-to-ship loadings of LNG near the northern port of Murmansk, following U.S. pressure to stop terminal deliveries in Norway.

Russia's Payments to Belarus for Contaminated Oil Still Unresolved

Russia and Belarus have yet to resolve differences over compensation for contaminated oil supplies last year, with the issue linked to a broader dispute between the ex-Soviet republics, industry sources said.