Fico is likely to survive a vote of no confidence as the coalition rebels back him
The Slovak prime minister Robert Fico is likely to survive a forthcoming vote of no confidence after rebel legislators in one ruling coalition said that they would not be supporting the motion. The opposition parties announced on Tuesday that they would initiate a vote of no confidence against Fico’s leftist and nationalist government. They accused him of pushing the country’s foreign policy towards Russia, while doing little to solve problems at home. Since coming to power in late 2023, the government has changed its focus on foreign policy by ceasing state military assistance to Ukraine to fight a full-scale Russian invader and reestablishing ties with Moscow.
Hungary will increase its gas exports to Slovakia starting April
The transmission system operator FGSZ announced on Tuesday that Hungary would increase its gas export to Slovakia from 2.63 billion cubic metres per year to 3.5 bcm by April. Hungary's decision to increase its export capacity to the north follows Ukraine refusing to renew a transit agreement with Russia, as it seeks a reduction in revenue that goes to Moscow for funding the war in Ukraine. The expiration of this deal has stopped a major route for Russian Gas to be shipped into Slovakia and Western Europe. Robert Fico, the Slovak prime minister, has threatened to take retaliatory actions against Kyiv.
Document shows that ten EU countries have called for sanctions against Russian LNG and gas
A document obtained by revealed that ten European Union nations have asked the 27-nation group to ban the imports of gas from Russia. This comes as Europe is debating new sanctions against Moscow for its war in Ukraine. The EU is currently preparing its 16th set of sanctions against Russia's economic system, in advance of the third anniversary Moscow's invasion of Ukraine on a large scale. This will take place in February 2022. The 10 countries include the Czech Republic as well as Denmark, Estonia, and Finland. They want Europe to do more to target Russia's oil exports to reduce the revenue flowing to Moscow.
Slovak deputy speaker of parliament arrives in Moscow. TASS reports
The Russian state news agency TASS reported that Andrej Danko, the Deputy Speaker of the Slovak Parliament, arrived in Moscow Sunday. Bratislava is seeking a solution after Ukraine decided to stop Russian gas deliveries to Europe. TASS, as well as the Slovak media agency TASR, reported that Danko's planned visit before the gas conflict will continue through Wednesday. Slovak Premier Robert Fico stated on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised that Russia's Gazprom state-owned gas company would find other ways to deliver gas contracted to Slovakia once transit through Ukraine was stopped.
Protesters say Fico dragging Slovakia to Russia in Ukraine gas dispute
On Friday, thousands of protesters in Slovak's capital chanted and held banners accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico that he was dragging his country to Russia after meeting President Vladimir Putin during a dispute over gas with Ukraine last month. Slovakia and Ukraine have argued over Ukraine's decision to stop transiting Russian gas through their territory as of Jan. 1. The aim is to cut off Moscow from its revenue stream. Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met in Moscow on December 22 to discuss the transit of gas. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, in February 2022, this was the only third time an EU leader has visited Moscow.
The industry in the breakaway Moldovan region shuts down due to lack of Russian gas
An official confirmed on Thursday that the cutoff of Russian gas supply to Moldova's Transdniestria region, which is a breakaway region of Moldova, has forced all industrial companies - except for food producers - to close. The Russian gas cutoff to Central and Eastern Europe through Ukraine on Wednesday has caused a severe and immediate impact on the mainly Russian-speaking region of 450,000 people that split off from Moldova during the Soviet Union's collapse in the 1990s. Sergei Obolonik told a local channel that "all industrial enterprises were idle except those involved in food production, which directly ensures food security for Transdniestria".
Austria Energy Regulator expects smooth transition when Ukraine gas deal ends
Austrian energy regulator E-Control says that it should not experience any disruption in supply as it is preparing to switch from eastern natural gas supplies to western alternatives following the expiration of Ukraine's Gazprom contract on Tuesday. Ukraine announced that it would terminate its gas transit agreement with Gazprom. This month, energy company OMV also ended its agreement with Gazprom after a dispute with the Russian firm. Markus Krug is the deputy head of E-Control's gas department. He said that the regulator closely followed the events but didn't anticipate any disruptions to gas supply…
As the gas transit dispute escalates, Ukraine's Zelenskiy lashes out at Slovak Prime Minister Fico
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico of opening a second energy front against Ukraine at the behest of Russia as the dispute over gas transit between the two countries intensified. Ukraine currently pumps Russian gas to Slovakia and other European countries through its territory. However, the current transit agreement - which was signed before Moscow invaded Ukraine - will expire at the end this year. Fico, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week in Moscow…
EUROPE GAS - Prices rise due to colder weather forecast and transit concerns in Ukraine
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas rose on Friday, boosted by cold weather forecasts in January and the fading hope of a new agreement to transit Russian gas via Ukraine. By 0914 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had increased by 1.27 euros to 46.80 euros/megawatt hour or $14.36/mmBtu. The contract for February was increased by 1,211 euros to 46,96 euros/MWh. The front-month contract in Britain increased by 2.44 pence to 118.20 cents per therm. The trend towards a cold, but only moderately unsettling situation during the first 10 Days of January is a certainty. All forecasts show a rising pressure in the north Atlantic.
Prices of EUROPE Gases rise slightly as trading is thin ahead of holidays
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were slightly higher on Wednesday, in light trading ahead Christmas holidays throughout Europe. This is because there remains uncertainty over Russian gas supplies when the Ukraine Gas Transit Deal expires this year. The benchmark contract for the Dutch TTF hub, the front-month contract, was up 0.25 euro at 46.00 euros per Megawatt Hour, or 14.36 mmBtu by 0947 GMT. Meanwhile, the day-ahead contracts was up 0.69 euro at 45.92 Euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was 2.15 pence more expensive at 114.50p per therm.
As the Ukraine gas transit agreement nears its expiry, the Russian president meets with Slovak Prime Minister
Pavel Zarubin, a Russian TV presenter, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Premier Robert Fico met in the Kremlin Sunday. The meeting took place as a contract for Russian gas transiting through Ukraine is nearing its expiration date. Fico criticised the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy for refusing a contract extension that expires in the next year. In a video that was posted by Zarubin on Telegram, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the discussion would be centered on the gas transit and current international situation. He stated that the Kremlin Meeting was arranged "a couple of days ago".
Orban: Hungary is in talks with Ukraine about Russian gas deliveries via Hungary
Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, said that Hungary was in talks with Russia, Ukraine and other countries to keep open gas deliveries via Ukraine, even though it imports Russian gas via Turkstream. The pipeline via Ukraine is one of the main Russian gas routes into Europe. However, it will close at the end this year because Kyiv doesn't want to extend the five-year transit deal that brings gas to Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Orban said in a press briefing: "We're now trying to pull off the trick... Orban stated that talks are ongoing…
Prices rise on increased demand for electricity and uncertainty about Russian flows
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas rose on Friday, as a result of a surge in demand from power plants and a decrease in wind speed. There is also uncertainty over Russian gas supplies to Europe due to the imminent end of the Ukraine transit agreement. The benchmark contract for the Dutch TTF hub rose by 0.30 euros to 43.58 euro per megawatt-hour (MWh), which is $13.68/mmBtu by 0955 GMT. Meanwhile, the contract for the next day was up 0.75 euros at 43.40 euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain was 1.2 p higher, at 107.60 pence per therm.
Germany waives gas storage fees outside of the country starting Jan. 1, 2025
The German lower house of Parliament passed on Friday a change in energy law that will waive the domestic market storage fee at border points and virtual trading centers, effective Jan. 1, 2025. This will free foreign consumers from a costly element of price. Parliament approved the law change based on its incompatibility with European energy solidarité and to help south-western neighbors diversify their gas supply away from Russian gas. The levy that Trading Hub Europe (THE) charges domestic gas consumers will increase by 20%, to 2,99 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh), on January 1, 2025.
Hungary: US exemption of gas payments from Russia Gazprombank sanctioned
In a video on social media, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto stated that the United States had granted exemptions for gas payments from the sanctions they imposed against Russia's Gazprombank. The U.S. implemented sanctions against Gazprombank in November, creating a barrier for European gas buyers. Gazprombank was used by buyers to pay for their purchases. Hungary, which relies primarily on Russian oil, gas and other energy sources, requested an exemption from the U.S. These countries, including Turkey and Slovakia, are seeking clarifications and alternatives to pay for the U.S. Gazprombank sanctions.
Putin is clear: there will be no Ukraine Gas Transit Deal
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, said that it is now clear that no new gas transit agreement will be signed with Kyiv for Russian gas to be sent through Ukraine to Europe. However, Russia will survive. As the EU attempts to reduce its dependency on Moscow, Russia has lost nearly all its European clients. Before the Ukraine War, Russia was Europe's largest single natural gas supplier. The Nord Stream gas pipeline, which was destroyed in 2022, cut off a major artery of Russian gas exports. Now one of the last main Russian gas routes…
Prices for European gas rise as renewed Russian focus on gas is renewed
The Dutch and British wholesale gas price rose on Tuesday afternoon due to renewed concerns about Russian gas supplies to Europe starting in January. By 1505 GMT the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had risen 1.87 euros to 41.83 euros/MWh, or $12.87/mmbtu. This was a continuation of the gains made in the morning. It fell to 39.10 euros/MWh intraday on Monday, its lowest since November 6. The front-month contract in Britain firmed up by 3.85 pence, to 104 pence/therm. Meanwhile, the day-ahead contract increased 3.75 pence, to 100.8 pence/therm.
Azerbaijan: OPEC+ may consider a rollover of oil cuts at the Dec. 1 meeting
Parviz Shahbazov, Azerbaijan’s Energy minister, said that OPEC+ could decide to keep its current oil production cuts in place as of Jan. 1, at their next meeting on Sunday. The group has already delayed increases due to demand concerns. Shahbazov told Baku that the issue of continued oil production cuts could be raised at the meeting. "OPEC+ may or may not discuss oil production rollover during its next meeting. He added that it is hard to make a prejudgment. Azerbaijan belongs to the OPEC+ Group, which also includes the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, such as Russia. This group will meet on December 1.
Azerbaijan: OPEC+ may consider oil reduction rollover at the Dec. 1 meeting
Parviz Shahbazov, Azerbaijan’s Energy minister, said that OPEC+ could decide to keep its current oil production cuts in place as of Jan. 1, at their next meeting on Sunday. The group has already delayed increases due to demand concerns. Azerbaijan belongs to the OPEC+ Group, which also includes the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, such as Russia. This group will meet on December 1. OPEC+ has already postponed a plan for a gradual increase in production this year by several months due to falling prices, weaker demand, and increased production outside of the group.
Sources: Austria's 50-year relationship with Gazprom is ended by the gas seizure
Five sources said that the Austrian group's seizure and payment of Russian gas to cover an arbitration award was what triggered the end of more than 50 years gas flow from Russian state energy company Gazprom to OMV this month. OMV is one of the last remaining gas buyers in Europe, after Gazprom lost most of its European customers in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia was Europe’s largest natural gas supplier before the war. OMV announced on Nov. 13, that it had won a German arbitration case against Gazprom in Germany for 230 millions euros ($239million) in relation to irregular supplies to the German unit.
