Russia exports more gas
After a drop in gas export to the EU last year, the first half of 2008 has seen a 23 percent increase in Russian gas export to the west. The exports will continue to increase In the years ahead, t. By 2020, Russian giant Gazprom intends to increase exports to the EU to an annual 318 billion cubic meters, up from last year’s 192 billion cubic meters.
Russian gas export has this year picked pace after a period of decrease last year. According to newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the export to the EU the first half of 2008 saw a 23 percent increase. Figures from federal Customs authorities show that a total of 88 billion cubic meters was exported to the union countries in the period.
Analysts explain the increase with European countries’ extension of their gas reservoirs.
In the same period, however, gas consumption in Russia dropped. So did also exports to the Russian “near abroad” – the former Soviet countries. According to the newspaper, these countries imported eight percent less gas this year compared with the same period last year.
Russian gas extraction the first six month of 2008 increased by 3,3 percent. In the years to come, the extraction will continue to increase significantly until 2020, when a stagnation is expected. Similarly, gas exports will get a boost in the period. According to RIA Novosti, the country’s gas exports will increase from last year’s 191,9 billion cubic meters to 318 billion cubic meters in 2020.
