Russia, Consumer States Discuss Gas Supply Via Ukraine
Russia's Energy Minister and the head of Gazprom discussed gas supplies via Ukraine with representatives of consumer countries Bosnia, Macedonia and Moldova on Saturday, Interfax news agency quoted the ministry as saying. Participants in the Moscow talks, including Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Gazprom chief Alexei Miller, expressed concern that payment problems could result in a fall in the amount of gas crossing Ukraine to countries in south-eastern Europe. President Vladimir Putin wrote earlier this month to 18 European leaders thatRussia would cut natural gas supplies to Ukraine if it did not pay its bills and that this could lead to a reduction of onward deliveries to Europe. (Reporting by Nigel Stephenson; Editing by Steve Gutterman)
U.S. Could Hit Russian Officials With Sanctions
The United States could impose sanctions on a range of Russian officials over the crisis in Ukraine, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Monday. Asked in an interview on Twitter whether the United States was considering the possibility of hitting Russian President Vladimir Putin personally with sanctions, Psaki replied: "Range of officials under consideration. Earlier, in response to a question over whether the prospect of imposing sanctions on individuals, companies and business sectors was effective, Psaki replied: "Yes. Impt (important) to lay out consequences. U.S. able to sanction people, companies, and sectors. Goal not sanctions.
Russia: European Demand for O&G May Flag
A Russian deputy economy minister said on Tuesday that he did not rule out weaker European demand for Russian oil and gas due to tension over Ukraine. Andrei Klepach also told reporters that Ukraine is likely to reduce Russian gas purchases this year to 20 billion cubic metres, from 25.8 billion in 2013, because of difficulties paying for deliveries. "This is not (a result of) sanctions, but one may anticipate a certain decrease in demand for our hydrocarbons both from Ukraine and from European countries," he said. (Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya; Writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Steve Gutterman)
Fluxys Terminal to Tranship LNG for Yamal
Yamal LNG, a Russian project to produce liquefied natural gas from 2017, has chosen Fluxys' terminal in Zeebrugge, Belgium, as the transhipping point for gas from the peninsula in northern Russia. Russia's Novatek holds 60 percent in Yamal LNG, while France's Total and China's CNPC own 20 percent each. "Fluxys will now carry out all technical, permitting and regulatory processes with a view to provide LNG transshipment services," Yamal LNG said. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Steve Gutterman)
