Do not be afraid, Europe, we will not leave without gas!

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The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, despite the active opposition of Washington, will be completed. The European Commission is ready to resume negotiations on the "pipe". However, not everything is so simple: the European Commission insists that Gazprom retain the Ukrainian transit.

Do not be afraid, Europe, we will not leave without gas!




The United States does not have the ability to replace Russian gas supplies to Europe, Russia's permanent representative to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said.

“Moreover, even if Americans donated liquefied gas to Europe for free, they simply wouldn’t have enough opportunities to replace Russian supplies,” he said radio "Sputnik".

Why could the US not be an alternative to gas supplies from Russia? The permanent representative named three reasons.

First, in the United States today there is only one export terminal for LNG shipped in Louisiana. Half a dozen terminals in different parts of the country are only planned to be built. It takes time. And is there enough gas? In addition, in Europe "there are not many terminals that are ready to accept liquefied gas, and not so many tankers to transport it."

Meanwhile, the agency reminds that the USA is increasing its market share in LNG supplies to the European Union. The share of LNG deliveries from the USA to the European Union in total imports of this fuel to the EU increased in the first quarter of 2017 to 6% (a tenfold increase compared to 2016 in the whole year). In the first quarter, the United States managed to become the sixth largest LNG supplier for the European Union.

Against this background, the “Nord Stream 2” theme is developing for the US and the EU. Recently, the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate, Miguel Arias Cañete, asked the EU Council for a mandate to negotiate with Russia on this “flow”. The continuation of negotiations is linked to the concern that Europe may eventually remain without gas. However, there is another motive: in Eastern European countries they fear that the Russian pipe will arrive in Germany, which will allow Berlin to dictate the will of the whole Old World. Therefore, the European Commissioner believes, the gas pipeline "deviates from the goals of the European Union." This pipeline "may have a negative impact on a number of transit routes leading to the European Union, including the one that goes through Ukraine," cites the opinion of the European Commissioner who spoke at the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg, "Russian newspaper".

Experts from Russia are ironic about the concern that Europe will eventually be left without gas at all. Director of the Energy Development Fund Sergey Pikin told Rossiyskaya Gazeta: “Other gas pipelines, which, by the way, are currently not operating at full capacity, have gone anywhere. So there are no problems with providing the Old World with Russian gas. ”

Causes of concern of the European Commissioner, perhaps, of a different kind.

“Firstly, the Nord Stream 2 project is moving further and further and is coming, let's say, to the point of no return,” the expert noted. - It is time to agree on the terms of delivery. The second point is the package of sanctions that was adopted, although it does not concern the gas pipeline directly, but contains options for its restriction. And this will be a direct damage for European concerns that work with Gazprom, and for equipment suppliers. This problem also needs to be addressed. ”

We should not forget about the political component of the criticism of the “stream”. Criticism of the gas pipeline, Pikin believes, has a political component in many respects, however, “a number of EU countries also have an economic background.” This is especially evident in the example of Poland: in case of the launch of the Nord Stream 2, transit can be reduced, and “the country will suffer financial losses”.

There were other messages on the topic of gas. It turns out that the European Commission intends to insist on the preservation by Gazprom of gas transit along the Ukrainian route. This was stated by the vice-president of the European Commission for the Energy Union Marosh Shefchovic. Moreover, such transit for the EU is a “priority”.

“The continuation of gas transit through Ukraine after 2020 is a priority for the EU,” shefchovic was quoted as saying. "Vedomosti".

The excitement of European officials on this issue is directly related to the friction between Kiev and Moscow. Gazprom and the Ukrainian side do not have an agreement to extend the gas transit contract, and the current agreement ends in 2019. By the same date, Gazprom intends to complete the said “Nord Stream 2”, as well as the “Turkish Stream”.

What do they think in Gazprom itself? Chairman of the Board Alexey Miller believes that the Ukrainian route can be used after the 2020 of the year, but deliveries along the route will be reduced at least 5 times. “By the beginning of 2020, the potential potential volume of transit through the territory of Ukraine in the central corridor will be about 15 billion cubic meters. meters of gas - from 10 billion to 15 billion cubic meters. m, "- noted earlier, Mr. Miller.

The European Union is not satisfied with this kind of explanation. Therefore, the European Commission is trying to get guarantees today that the transit through Ukraine after 2020 will be preserved, and at the same time is going to thoroughly study the possible impact of the new gas pipeline on other gas supply sources. The EU considers Ukraine to be a “zone of reliable transit,” said Miguel Arias Cañete, mentioned above, in the European Parliament.

The publication reminds that Poland is “traditionally tough” on the pipeline issue. “The construction of the Nord Stream was directed against Poland and the Baltic countries. "Nord Stream 2" is built in order to harm Ukraine. We must take these things seriously, even applying sanctions to the project, ”said Polish conservatives spokesman Marek Jurek.

Interestingly, Ukrainian politicians and experts, unlike Poles, have no doubt about the successful completion of the Nord Stream 2 project.

Andrei Kobolev, Chairman of the Board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, noted that the contract for the transit of Russian gas signed with Gazprom in 2019 will expire in 2009. According to Kobolev, his company cannot start a full-fledged modernization of the gas transport system, since it is not clear what will happen after 2019. “When we began work on the modernization of the gas transmission system, we had agreements on the supply of Siemens compressor systems. However, they subsequently refused such cooperation, since it threatened their contracts in the Russian Federation, ”Kobolev quotes. Strana.ua.

The chances of preventing the launch of a new “stream” are low, Ukrainian expert Dmitry Marunich said. “Entering the second branch of the“ Nord Stream ”will result in a big hole in the Ukrainian budget. If now Kiev receives about 2 billions of dollars for the transit of Russian gas, then after the launch of Nord Stream the amount will decrease to half a billion. But the chances of preventing the launch of new gas pipelines, to put it mildly, are low. Unlike European business interest in them, ”he says.

“I think the Nord Stream 2 really has a good chance of being implemented, despite all attempts to block it from the US,” said "Free Press" Igor Yushkov, leading expert of the National Energy Security Foundation, lecturer at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. - Project participants, including large European companies, are not going to leave this project after the introduction of additional US sanctions. The position of the Europeans here is this: yes, we will comply with the sanctions regime imposed on us by the Americans, but we will still find a way that will allow us to continue the implementation of the North Stream 2.

The expert clarified that most likely, now it is impossible to receive loans from American and European banks for this “flow”, although it was previously planned that such a loan would be about 70% of the cost of building a gas pipeline. As a result, companies invest their own funds. Europeans gave Gazprom a total of 1 billion 400 million dollars for the project; The Russian gas giant has made about the same. The rest of the project participants will either give out of their own funds, or find through “project export agencies”, as Russian Novatek does: it is also forbidden to take loans, but it raised European money through a “certain financial scheme”, thus bypassing sanctions.

Obviously, we note that Russia as a whole and Gazprom in particular are primarily concerned not with the preservation of the old transit through Ukraine, but with the fate of the Nord Stream 2. It is the decision on this project that will show who is the boss in Europe: the Europeans themselves, who want to buy gas from Moscow, or the Americans, who put the most direct pressure on the European Union, promoting their LNG and passing laws on sanctions.

By the way, the Europeans can take advantage of the American "pressure" on Russia - where the sanctions are, there is a search for possible discounts, benefits and special investment conditions.

Observed and commented on Oleg Chuvakin
- especially for topwar.ru
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    1. +3
      21 September 2017 15: 31
      Article - "valerian". We have a lot of everything, they don’t have enough ... If the minke whales set a target, then the ships will be set up and the terminals. Another thing is that dependence will change the vector.
      1. +4
        21 September 2017 15: 46
        If the minke whales set a goal, then first they need the EU to set the same goal. Secondly, to make gas produced at the other end of the world more or less affordable for the price of gas from a pipe near by, i.e. or to work with losses or to the extent possible to start up all the heavy industry of the EU. I recommend that the European sign contracts for the purchase of striped gas shouting alah akbar or banzai ...
      2. +6
        21 September 2017 17: 36
        Quote: Leader of the Redskins
        If the minke whales set a goal, then the ships will be set up and the terminals.

        Firstly, they need time for this. And they need gas now. Secondly, the price of gas. Yes Poles foolishly agreed to liquefied gas from the United States, only in a fit of Russophobia forgot to calculate how much it would cost them Yes The stump is gone. The cunning women will resell this gas to Khokhlov, the losses will be recaptured, but the residents of unhappy Ukraine are just sorry, the housing and utilities sector and the price of gas for enterprises will soar, but the gas is not Muscovite. they know how and that their expensive liquefied gas industry becomes less and much more competitive, although they are trying to limit the Nord Stream-2, but the Germans and Gazprom bypass all the restrictions. hi
        1. +3
          21 September 2017 20: 15
          Quote: 79807420129
          but the residents of unfortunate Ukraine are just sorry, utilities and the price of gas for enterprises will soar

          Are you sorry for our citizens?
          1. 0
            27 September 2017 13: 13
            Almost no pity
      3. +1
        21 September 2017 20: 12
        I don’t understand the thesis that there is no money for SP-2 ... How is it not? There are 100bn for US bonds, but 2-4bn for SP-5 ... Since the USA imposed sanctions against us, it’s logical to sell at least 7-8 billion bonds and finance SP-2 at least ... What are the difficulties?
        1. +3
          21 September 2017 22: 22
          Well, Gazprom has no first money - and the Ministry of Finance doesn’t want to give money or whoever is - they cut grandmothers as it were. And as it were, Gazprom has never had money and never will have money - like any successful highly capitalized corporation, they always work on loans or investments, whatever you like.
          And here the second thesis comes up - without a strict gas cut-off in the pipeline, Gazprom naturally does not want to look for loot, even if it is credit, or even investors, and this is logical.
          And then a third comes up - investors must come from the same Germany, or from where else - not completely but partially - yes, it’s possible not directly from Germany but through offshore companies in the Netherlands to avoid being sanctioned by the Germans - that’s all the math.
          That is, if the gas is not cantracted, then the pipe is built up, if the gas is bought back, then Gazprom itself will take a loan and find investors.
          It is not a matter of building a pipe, but of guaranteeing its filling and operation of sp2
          1. 0
            21 September 2017 23: 36
            Quote: Yarhann
            It is not a matter of building a pipe, but of guaranteeing its filling and operation of sp2

            And then what's the problem? It’s loud to declare that after 2019 EVERYTHING through Ukraine gas ... And the SP-2 is full, Europeans have nowhere to go, although it seems that this is voiced in the negotiations and very insistently judging by the behavior of the Germans .. It’s just not our Europeans who don’t want to drive the wave, now they are engaged in chattering mattresses, and then they will be confronted with the fact .. One could certainly stand in a pose proudly declare, but for now we are not ready for such statements, the strength is still not enough ..
      4. +3
        21 September 2017 23: 59
        Quote: Leader of the Redskins
        Article - "valerian". We have a lot of everything, they don’t have enough ... If the minke whales set a target, then the ships will be set up and the terminals. Another thing is that dependence will change the vector.

        Yes, dear, the trick is not that "someone has plenty, but someone gets horseradish without salt" and cherishing ourselves with this fact, we are invulnerable. The trick is that the mattresses are trying to preserve the junta feed base in order to save themselves from unnecessary costs, and at the same time, to boil Europe their liquefied and not at all cheap gas. Yes, but we do not mind))) We have no obligations at all for the supply of gas after 2019, nor are we liable. Well, you want to save, so let's write in a new contract a new gas delivery point, not at the exit from urkaina and at its entrance to the territory of Ukrina, after which the transit will bear all responsibility for its delivery, and at the same time we will stipulate bilateral control over the delivery by the receiver))) Ivrapeytsy will find a bunch of “force majeure” in six months in order to refuse the service of skakuazov.
    2. +1
      21 September 2017 15: 40
      saving transit through 404? tofarischi-euroopets, urkaina-tse europe? here and get drunk with her, at your own expense, don’t bother us, and without these damps there is something to do. This time. Secondly, the RF-AHRESSOR? Aggressor, then what transit through a country that is waging war on the Russian Federation? In a word: EU-bought horseradish, have to eat ... and nothing else, themselves, FSE themselves ..
      1. +1
        23 September 2017 12: 43
        They will devour this horseradish and will not choke. They have already done this in Geyrop more than once. But by and large, I have up to one place this flow and the like for gas in our state is NOT a public heritage, as 1 channel presents to us. He is popular in Turkmenistan, Iran, but Not with us - that's for sure.
    3. 0
      21 September 2017 15: 44
      It is the decision on this project that will show who is the boss in Europe: the Europeans themselves, who want to buy gas from Moscow, or the Americans, who exert the most direct pressure on the European Union,

      That's it. Ukraine, Poland, and the other Baltic states will feel decent income loss. hi
    4. +3
      21 September 2017 16: 25
      To leave transit after 2019 is to continue to fuel the fascist regime in Ukraine for free. Will not work!!! angry
    5. 0
      21 September 2017 16: 43
      I look at the photo of a gas carrier in a European port .. And involuntarily I recall the film "22 minutes" ..
    6. +3
      21 September 2017 16: 48
      why rejoice? ... okromya gas and there is nothing ... give a penny ....
      1. KCA
        0
        22 September 2017 08: 48
        Aha, and the construction of nuclear power plants in Hungary, Iran, India, Slovakia, Vietnam, Bangadesh, China, Finland, Bulgaria, Belarus and Turkey is so small shit, how many countries are building nuclear power plants in the world? 3? Russia, the USA and France, and yes, our gas is FSE, and there is nothing more ...
    7. BAI
      0
      21 September 2017 17: 50
      Or maybe it would be nice - American shale gas to Europe? The more they mined, the more serious environmental damage they inflicted on their territory. The first term of Trump will be exported, and then they will be engaged in restoration for several decades. At least they will deal with something on their territory, and will not go into other people's affairs.
    8. 0
      21 September 2017 18: 59
      The EU wants to eat a fish (to be with gas) and sit on a “bolt” (to please the USA), and how they care about the Ruin, a tear breaks through emotion!
    9. 0
      21 September 2017 20: 50
      The European Commission insists on maintaining transit through Ukraine ...
      Another leader was found. They said that after 2019 the transit contract will not be extended. I really want to believe that ours were not joking and will keep their promise. They will not succumb to either blackmail and threats, or complaints, - they say that the gas transportation system is not ready. There is no Turkish stream yet, and the North is not yet finished.
      Already now it is necessary to remind about such an opportunity for the EU, so that they would think before slowing down the SP-2.
      Yes, Europe may freeze slightly. Yes, Russia will not receive the expected profit. But this will be a lesson that will be remembered for a long time and will make you listen to what Russia is saying.
    10. 0
      21 September 2017 20: 53
      I wonder since when does the buyer set the conditions for the seller?
      1. +1
        21 September 2017 20: 56
        As always it would be ...
    11. +1
      21 September 2017 20: 59
      I believe that Gazprom is fully pursuing an anti-people policy, as it is unprofitable for them to supply gas to their population. I will give 2 facts. Draw your own conclusions.
      1) The level of gasification with natural (network) gas in Russia by federal districts for 2015-16
      Central Federal District - 80,8% (most likely a lie - there is no network gas there, it may have been calculated at the expense of Moscow))
      North-West Federal District - 47,5% !!!!!!
      Southern Federal District - 85,1% (due to its gas)
      North Caucasian Federal District - 92,2% (is that a tribute to loyalty to the regime?)
      Volga Federal District - 82,7% (own gas)
      Ural Federal District - 48,4% (less than half is our industrial center !!!)
      Siberian Federal District - 5,8% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Far Eastern Federal District - 15,8% !!!!!!!!!!!

      2) 65,6 billion rubles - the debt of heat supply enterprises, and 67,5 billion rubles - the debt of the population; The total debt for gas of all consumers amounted to 189,3 billion rubles as of April 2016. Of these, 52,5 billion falls on the North Caucasus Federal District.
      1. +1
        22 September 2017 04: 18
        they conduct market policy. this is not sharashka but big business. at their own expense, why should they do something? gasification issues are not for them, but for regional authorities who should develop their network.
    12. +1
      21 September 2017 21: 10
      Europe for Russia - sanctions, PACE, Mistrals, Poles, London, Boeing, etc. every day. Russia for Europe - Don’t be afraid, Europe, we won’t leave without gas! Is it supposed to be a self-respecting state? This is normal? But what then is insanity? If the article contains at least part of the truth, then why not turn the situation around, let Europe take care of its well-being. And if she was completely mad, then help her sober up, release her into the arms of the striped. Need a good teacher.
    13. 0
      21 September 2017 21: 44
      They will do everything for the north 2. And they will let the pipe through the Ukrainians. And once again we will smack. God forbid...
    14. 0
      21 September 2017 22: 33
      Complete nonsense. Prepare shelves for teeth, gentlemen! laughing I wrote about this 4 years ago.
    15. +1
      22 September 2017 00: 36
      For starters, can I turn off the gas and send it to my settlements?
    16. 0
      23 September 2017 00: 58
      Quote: KCA
      Aha, and the construction of nuclear power plants in Hungary, Iran, India, Slovakia, Vietnam, Bangadesh, China, Finland, Bulgaria, Belarus and Turkey is so small shit, how many countries are building nuclear power plants in the world? 3? Russia, the USA and France, and yes, our gas is FSE, and there is nothing more ...

      well, and we are building ... you (personally) what has gone wrong with this construction? .. maybe the electricity has become cheaper?
    17. 0
      27 September 2017 13: 12
      lol guys!

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