Gazprom Ready to Build Nord Stream-3

Gazprom can build a Nord Stream-3 gas pipeline if the EU countries actively seek out Russian gas, - Alexander Medvedev, Deputy Head of the Russian gas holding, noted last week in an interview with Rossiya 24.

“We have always said that we will supply Europe with as much gas as necessary. We have proven reserves, we have transport, we are building new transport routes. If Europe declares its needs, and is ready to sign the necessary contracts, I do not rule out that new gas transportation projects will be needed - Nord Stream-3, for example,” said Medvedev, who previously noted that Gazprom is closely monitoring the situation regarding reduction of gas production at the largest in Europe field, Groningen.

Earlier, it was reported that the production of “blue fuel” in the Dutch field of Groningen would be reduced, as would extraction of this type of fuel in general within the European Union.

Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, stated that “By 2022, we are going to cut the annual gas production in this field to 12 billion cubic meters, and gas production will be stopped completely by 2030.”

“If we talk about our share in imports, it is over 60%. This level reflects the level of interdependence that we have reached with our European consumers,” Medvedev noted. “We do not set targets for the share, but we will not reduce it.”

As Gazprom's Deputy Chairman noted, at present the demand for "blue fuel" in Europe is growing not only among the new customers of the company, but also among traditional partners of the Russian gas holding company; Austria, for example.

According to Medvedev, Gazprom's annual export deliveries to foreign countries by 2020 will surpass 200 billion cubic meters. This will happen once the new Russian gas transmission lines begin to operate in Europe and China.

“As athletes say, the higher you jump, the harder it is to break the record. Before that, we set impressive records for two years ... and now we are on a new record schedule. But we are not in sports to pursue beautiful figures. I am sure that the export volume of 200 billion will be surpassed, and we will definitely surpass it in 2020, as gas supplies to China and Europe will begin in 2019,” he said.

By Dimitri Dolaberidze