Shtokman might be postponed to 2018 – Russian official
The partners in the Shtokman project are discussing to postpone launch to 2018, a high-ranking Russian official says.
According to Petr Sadovnik – Deputy Head of Rosnedra, the Federal Agency on Subsoil Usage, the uncertain market for natural gas has made the partners in the giant Shtokman start discussing the possibilities for a two years postponement, RIA Novosti reports.
Sadovnik adds that a final decision has not been made.
The reason for the possible launch is the development of shale gas production in the U.S., promting lower demand for natural gas.
Only two days ago, Gazprom’s head of export Aleksandr Medvedev reassured that the Shtokman project is going as planned, and that the first phase of the project will include a LNG plant, as BarentsObserver reported.
