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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Gasprom Threatens Ukraine With Rurgas and Yamal

13 November, 2012 - 00:00

Our deliveries will be cut for unsanctioned natural gas consumption.

The general director of the export subsidiary of Gasprom, Gaseksport Yuri Komarov declared late last week that the agreement with Rurgas, signed in May will totally change the situation with transporting gas through Ukrainian territory.

Due to the agreement with Rurgas, negotiations on which lasted five years, Russia will continue to supply gas to Germany for another 20 years. Komarov said this agreement would destroy Ukraine’s transit monopoly.

According to him, the new agreement will enable Gasprom to select the route for gas transport. In view of the introduction of a strategic natural gas pipeline connecting Yamal and Europe through the territory of Belarus, this means Ukraine will lose a major argument in negotiations on transit fees. It will also have to be more careful with unauthorized gas withdrawals, which previously were easily covered with supply volume fluctuations.

It will not be easy to compensate the winter supplies. Gasprom may send more gas through Belarus, keeping its Ukrainian partner trapped in debt.

Komarov spoke frankly about the prospects of Turkmen natural gas exports: “With our recently signed contracts with Rurgas and Turkey, we have won a place in the market, which can make investment into the Turkmen economy more attractive. Now there is no place for Turkmen natural gas on the German market. And not a single serious investor will give his money without guarantees. I think we have done a great job toward securing our future.” Komarov advised Turkmenistan “to get used to the situation on the market.”

According to independent experts, agreement with Rurgas will strengthen Gasprom’s position in negotiations with Turkmenistan about gas supplies to Ukraine. In other words the idea of energy diversification will be put off once again, and Russia will be able to dictate both natural gas prices and the transit fees for it through Ukraine.

 

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