Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak MOSCOW, Jan 14 Neither Gazprom nor Russia in general, they are not to blame for the energy crisis in Europe, said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. “There is certainly neither Gazprom nor Russia to blame here. underground gas storage facilities,» he explained in an interview with Russia 1 TV channel. In addition, Novak noted, the economy began to recover, and liquefied natural gas from the United States and other countries, such as Qatar, «went to Asia.» The head of the International Energy Agency ( IEA) Fatih Birol on January 12 accused Russia of aggravating the difficult situation in the European energy market. In his opinion, Moscow could increase supplies by at least a third compared to current volumes, that is, by three billion cubic meters per month.
«Of course, I was somewhat surprised by the statement of the head of such a respected international organization as the IEA, who is trying to shift from a sore head to a healthy problem that European consumers have today,» Novak responded to these accusations.
Russia put forward a condition in Poland for the launch of Nord Stream 2 Gas prices in Europe began to rise rapidly. This season, which began on October 13, the level of occupancy of European UGSFs has already decreased by almost 28%. According to Gazprom, as of January 10, the EU countries have withdrawn from underground storage facilities more than half of the volume of gas pumped last year — 55.6% (26.6 billion cubic meters). Low temperatures are spurring demand for fuel. So, on December 21, at the moment, the cost of futures soared to a historic high — almost $ 2,200 per thousand cubic meters. Earlier, in a commentary to RIA Novosti, experts noted that in moderately frosty weather, European consumers should have enough gas, but in severe cold, supply disruptions may begin. If the rate of withdrawal continues, then by March-April UGS will be filled at a record low. In turn, they called record fuel prices a consequence of the low level of occupancy of storage facilities on the continent, limited supply from suppliers and high demand for liquefied natural gas in Asia. According to Vladimir Putin, the gas shortage in the European market was the result of the economic policy of the European Commission. In addition, eight billion cubic meters of fuel were not delivered to Europe from the USA and the Middle East, while Gazprom increased imports by 11 billion cubic meters. >European underground gas storage facilities are more than 50% empty