Russia & CIS

Lack of Arctic Tankers Puts Russia's LNG Development Dreams on Ice

Russia is hoping its shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) will offset a sharp fall in pipeline gas exports to Europe, but a shortage of gas tankers and sanctions hold back its plans, analysts and industry sources said.

Germany's $55 Billion Gas Deal with Norway Ends Russian Dependency

Germany's decision to make Norway its biggest gas supplier, culminating in a deal this week that will cover a major chunk of its industrial needs, means it has replaced the formerly dominant Russia with another equally dominant supplier.

Russia's Novatek Issues Force Majeure Notices Over Arctic LNG 2 Project

Novatek, Russia's largest producer of LNG, has sent force majeure notifications to some of its clients over future supplies from its Arctic LNG 2 project, four industry sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Harbour Energy Strikes $11.2 Billion Deal for Wintershall Dea Assets

Britain's Harbour Energy on Thursday agreed to acquire Wintershall Dea's non-Russian oil and gas assets in a $11.2 billion share and cash deal with BASF and LetterOne that creates one of the world's largest independent producers.

Beijing Eyes Broader Energy Collaboration with Russia, Discusses Power of Siberia 2 Gas Pipeline

Beijing intends to expand energy cooperation with Russia along all stages of production, and Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said that both countries were in active discussions about Russia's planned Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.

Putin Directs Removal of Wintershall Dea, OMV Stakes in Russian Arctic Gas Projects

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that Wintershall Dea and OMV be stripped of multibillion-dollar stakes in gas extraction projects in Russia's Arctic.

Looking Back at the Biggest Pipeline Stories of 2023

(P&GJ) – In this final issue of P&GJ for 2023, the staff – with more than a little help from our readers – takes a look back at the sometimes chaotic year in midstream that was 2023.

Russia Eyes Additional Oil Export Cuts of About 50,000 bpd in December

Russia said on Sunday it would deepen oil export cuts in December by potentially 50,000 barrels per day or more, earlier than promised, as the world's biggest exporters try to support the global oil price.

Serbia Launches Gas Pipeline Interconnector with Bulgaria, Diversifying Supplies

Serbia on Sunday completed the interconnector to a pipeline in Bulgaria, which would allow the Balkan country to diversify its gas supplies and reduce its dependence on Russia.

Italy's Saipem Completes Exit from Russia's Arctic-2 LNG Project

Italian energy engineering and construction group Saipem is no longer involved in Arctic-2 LNG, a massive Russian project to build an LNG production site in the Arctic, which was targeted by U.S. sanctions last month.

Revenues of Russia's Top Oil and Gas Producers Fall 41% in First 9 Months of 2023

The revenues of Russia's largest oil and natural gas producers dropped by 41% in the first nine months of the year, the central bank said in its financial stability review, as export volumes and prices declined.

Global News December 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

Kyiv Proposes Reversing Trans-Balkan Gas Pipeline Flows Through Ukraine

Ukraine's state gas transit operator on Wednesday proposed reversing gas flows through the Trans-Balkan pipeline, which would allow gas to be pumped from the Balkans to Central and Eastern European countries through Ukraine.

Oil Exporters Seek Alternative Routes as Black Sea Storm Continues to Suspend Loadings

Russian and Kazakh producers are seeking to redirect oil flows to other destinations, in particular to Russia's Baltic ports, but such opportunities are limited due to high demand.

Ukraine Suggests Reversing Trans-Balkan Gas Pipeline Flows to Meet Demand

Ukraine's state gas transit operator on Wednesday proposed reversing gas flows through the Trans-Balkan pipeline, which would allow gas to be pumped from the Balkans to Central and Eastern European countries through Ukraine.

Gas Condensate Exports from Russia's Yamal LNG Rise 16% In Jan-Nov

Exports of gas condensate, a kind of light oil, from Russia's Yamal LNG field were up by 15.8% year-on-year in January-November at 880,000 metric tons, according to LSEG ship-tracking data and traders.

Russian Black Sea Oil Exports Delayed Due to Heavy Storms

Russia's oil and oil product exports from the Novorossiysk Black Sea terminal are being restricted as bad weather has caused significant delays to loadings, two sources familiar with the port's operations said on Monday.

Greek Shippers Exit Russian Oil Trade as U.S. Tightens Price Cap Scrutiny

Three major Greek shipping firms have stopped transporting Russian oil in recent weeks in order to avoid U.S. sanctions now being imposed on some shipping firms carrying Russian oil, four traders told Reuters and shipping data showed.

CEZ Books 2 Bcm Capacity at German LNG Terminal

Czech majority state-owned utility CEZ has agreed to book 2 billion cubic meters (Bcm) of annual capacity at the Stade LNG terminal in Germany from 2027, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Thursday.

Tankers Newly Sanctioned by US Supplied Russian Oil to India

Three oil tankers, newly sanctioned by Washington, regularly shipped Sokol crude from Russia's Far East to Indian Oil Corp., the country's top refiner, in recent months, according to ship tracking data from LSEG, Kpler and trade sources.

CEZ Abandons Planned Polish LNG Terminal Capacity Over Disputed Conditions

Majority state-owned Czech utility CEZ has shelved a plan to secure capacity for LNG at a new Polish terminal because it was unhappy with the conditions offered, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Russian Pipeline Gas Exports to Europe Drop 6.7% in November

Average daily natural gas supplies to Europe by Russian energy giant Gazprom were down 6.7% in the first half of November from their October levels, Reuters calculations show.

Global News November 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

US Probes 30 Ship Managers for Suspected Russia Oil Sanctions Violations

The U.S. Treasury Department has sent notices to ship management companies requesting information about 100 vessels it suspects of violating Western sanctions on Russian oil, according to a source who has seen the documents.

US Collaborating with Allies on Sanctions for Russian Arctic LNG Project

The U.S. is working closely with partner countries over sanctions on a Russian LNG project in the Arctic as a January deadline looms on a wind-down of transactions with the plant, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, Russia to Continue Additional Voluntary Oil Cuts

Top oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia confirmed on Sunday they would continue with their additional voluntary oil output cuts until the end of the year as concerns over demand and economic growth continue to weigh on crude markets.

New U.S. Sanctions Take Aim at Russia's Arctic LNG Project Amid Ukraine Conflict

The latest sanctions target a major entity involved in the development, operation and ownership of a massive project in Siberia known as Arctic-2 LNG, the State Department said in a statement. The project expected to ship chilled natural gas, known as LNG to global markets.

Gazprom Delivers Second LNG Shipment to China, Taking Suez Canal

Russia's Gazprom on Thursday delivered a second shipment of LNG to China, sending it via the Suez Canal rather than the northern sea route taken by the previous cargo, according to LSEG data.

Russia's Weaker Hand Undermines Case for Power of Siberia 2 Gas Pipeline to China

Russia is counting on a planned new pipeline to China as it seeks to make up for lost gas sales in Europe, but industry insiders see major risks around the project and question whether it will justify the huge costs.

Industry Insiders See Major Risks Associated With Potential Russia-China Natural Gas Pipeline

Russia is counting on a planned new pipeline to China as it seeks to make up for lost gas sales in Europe, but industry insiders see major risks around the project and question whether it will justify the huge costs.