First time since 2012 Norway is ahead of Russia on the volume of gas supplies to the Western Europe within the interval of over one quarter, Reuters reported quoting the Norwegian gas operator Gassco.
In quarter 1, 2015 Gassco delivered 29.2 billion cub.m. of gas to Western Europe, while Gasprom – 20.29 billion cub.m. In quarter 4, 2014 Gasprom exported 19.8 billion cub.m. of gas to Western Europe against 29.5 billion cub.m. delivered to Europe by Norway.
Reuters explained decline of the volume of acquisition from Gasprom by the intention of the Western European buyers to diversify the sources of gas supplies after the Ukrainian crisis. Ukraine is still the main transit country for Russian gas on its way to the Western Europe. Part of the European clients of Gasprom has postponed the purchase expecting lower prices for fuel. As the contract price of Russia gas is tied up to oil price with the lag of 6-9 months, last year’s slump of oil prices will show in quarter 2, 2015.
During 2014 Russia remained the biggest supplier of gas to the European Union. According to the European Commission’s estimates, 42% of EU gas import fell to the Russian gas. Last year Norway’s share increased from 34% to 38%.
In 2914 Gasprom delivered 117.92 billion cub.m. of gas to the Western Europe. This is down 3.7% against 2013. The supplies to Central Europe have also gone down. The company, however, has increased export to Turkey.
