Russia & CIS

Russia, Ukraine Finalize Deals for Gas Transit to Europe

Russian and Ukrainian gas companies say they have finalized a slew of contracts ensuring uninterrupted transit of Russian natural gas to Europe and providing at least $7 billion to Ukraine over the next five years.

Russia May Use Vessel Docked in Pacific to Finish Nord Stream 2

Russia may use a vessel currently docked at a far eastern port to finish the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, Russia's energy minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Friday.

Gazprom Pays $2.9 Billion to Ukraine's Naftogaz

Russian gas giant Gazprom announced Friday that it has paid US$2.9 billion to Ukraine's state-owned gas company, Naftogaz, in accordance with a ruling made by the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.

Putin says Russia has Vessel to Build Nord Stream 2

President Vladimir Putin said Russia has a pipe-laying vessel to complete the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, the Kommersant daily newspaper reported, following sanctions imposed by Washington.

Russia to Retaliate for US Sanctions Against Nord Stream 2

The Russian government has vowed to retaliate against U.S. sanctions on a new Russia-Germany pipeline, work on which was suspended on Saturday.

No doubt of Nord Stream 2 Completion, but Later at Higher Cost

Russian and German officials say sanctions will add time and cost to construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between their two countries, but alternatives are available for completion by in 2020.

Nord Stream 2 Says 100 Miles of Pipeline Left to Lay to Europe

The consortium behind Nord Stream 2 said on Monday that about 160 km (100 miles) of gas pipeline still needed to be laid, after a major contractor suspended work last week due to U.S. sanctions.

U.S. Sanctions Halt Allseas Work on Nord Stream 2

Swiss-Dutch company Allseas said it had suspended work on building a major Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline in order to avoid U.S. sanctions contained in legislation signed by President Donald Trump on Friday.

Turkey Threatens Retaliation Against Possible U.S. Pipeline Sanctions

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying on Friday that Ankara would retaliate against potential U.S. sanctions over its purchase of Russian defense systems and the TurkStream gas pipeline.

Russia, Ukraine, EU Agree 'In Principle' on New Gas Deal

Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission, after hours-long talks on Thursday, agreed in principle on a new gas deal starting after Jan 1, 2020, European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic told a briefing.

Russia's Putin Says Moscow Plans to Keep Gas Transit Via Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow planned to keep gas transit via Ukraine irrespective of a number of gas pipelines Moscow currently builds to bypass its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Bill Imposing Sanctions on Companies Building Nord Stream 2 Heads to White House

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed legislation to slap sanctions on companies building a pipeline to bring Russian natural gas to Germany, but it was uncertain whether the measures would slow completion of the project.

U.S. Sanctions Could Hit Nord Stream 2 Construction in Danish waters

Germany believes a new U.S. law imposing sanctions on companies building Russia's contested seabed Nord Stream 2 pipeline could affect ongoing construction works off the coast of Denmark, Bild newspaper said, citing a government document.

Rosneft Seeks Investors for Vostok Infrastructure

Russia's Rosneft is seeking Japanese investment in the company's $157 billion Vostok oil project, including construction of pipelines, roads and a seaport.

Russia, Ukraine Fail to Reach a New Gas Deal in Paris

The Russian government said Tuesday that the presidents of Russia and Ukraine discussed a new contract for natural gas supplies during peace talks in Paris on Monday, but failed to reach a deal.

Belarus Seeks $70 Million Compensation for Russian Tainted Oil

Belarus is seeking about $70 million in compensation because of disruption in flows in a pipeline on its territory caused by contaminated Russian oil, state news agency Belta reported on Sunday.

Russia, Belarus Closer to Resolving Supply, Pipeline Issues: Moscow

Russia and Belarus, who have yet to resolve a dispute over contamination of an oil pipeline, are closer to resolving their differences on oil and gas supplies, Russia's economy minister said Saturday after talks between the two countries.

Libya's El Feel Oilfield Shut Due to Valve Closure

Libya's El Feel oilfield has been shut down due to a valve closure, the head of the National Oil Corporation said on Thursday, in the second stoppage at the southwestern field in consecutive weeks.

Putin Accuses Bulgaria of Holding up TurkStream Pipeline

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Bulgaria on Wednesday of deliberately delaying the implementation of Russia's TurkStream natural gas pipeline on its territory and said that Moscow could find ways to bypass Bulgaria if needed.

Transneft Extends Oil Transit Deal with Ukraine's Ukrtransnafta

Ukrainian pipeline operator Ukrtransnafta said it has agreed to a 10-year oil transit extension with Russia’s Transneft.

Hungary Ready to Discuss New Gas Supply Deal with Gazprom — Minister

Hungary is ready to start talks with Russia’s Gazprom about a new long-term gas supply deal, Hungary’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Turkey, Azerbaijan Mark Completion of TANAP Pipeline

Turkey and Azerbaijan formally marked the completion of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on Saturday, a milestone in a major project to help reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas.

Power of Siberia Natural Gas Pipeline Officially Begins Flows

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping officially launched the Power of Siberia pipeline on Monday that will transport natural gas from Siberia to northeast China.

Kazakhstan Seeks to Join Russian Plans to Boost Gas Exports to China

Kazakhstan has told Russia it wants to join plans to boost gas exports to China proposing that a new pipeline being considered by Moscow connect through the Central Asia nation, Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin said on Monday.

Uzbekistan May Sell Stakes in State Energy Firms

Uzbekistan may soon sell shares in some its biggest state energy and mining companies, including pipeline operator Uztransgaz, the head of the state asset management body said.

Gazprom Proposes Short-Term Gas Deal with Ukraine

Russia's Gazprom said it has sent a letter to Ukraine formally proposing either to extend a current deal supplying gas to the country for its own use and for transit to Europe or to sign a new one-year agreement.

Hungary Expects Gas from Russia's TurkStream by Late 2021

Hungary plans to be able to get natural gas from the TurkStream pipeline by the end of 2021, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said after hosting a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Leased Russian Tanker Heads for U.S. to Load LNG Cargo

A gas tanker once hailed by President Vladimir Putin as a bulwark of Russian energy security is heading for an LNG terminal in the United States, according to ship-tracking data from Refinitiv's Eikon.

Blacklisted Russian Businessman Sells Pipeline Construction Firm

Russian businessman Arkady Rotenberg, who has been under U.S. sanctions since 2014, has sold his gas pipeline construction firm Stroygazmontazh.

Ukraine, Russia May Sign Gas Transit Deal in Late December: Minister

Ukraine's energy minister is expecting a gas transit deal to be signed with Russia by the end of the year.