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".
SOCAR sources: Russia and Ukraine cannot agree on gas deal mediated by Azerbaijan
Azeri SOCAR, a leading energy company in Azerbaijan, said on Friday that Moscow and Kyiv failed to reach an agreement on the deal brokered by Azerbaijan for Russian gas to be exported to Europe via Ukraine. Azerbaijan was asked by the European Union and Ukraine to facilitate talks with Russia regarding a gas-transit deal due to expire this year. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there was no chance of a new agreement with Kyiv for the transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine.
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…
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.
Gazprom says that high interest rates are a concern for oil service firms
Alexander Dyukov said that the high interest rates in the oil industry could have a negative impact on firms providing support services. This raised "serious concern".According to a recent poll, the Russian central bank will likely increase its key rate this week by 200 basis points, to 23%, due to the high inflation caused by a weaker ruble.Dyukov told reporters that his company is strong enough to withstand high borrowing costs, and plans to increase investments in the next year."As far as the partner companies are concerned…
President says US is considering sanctions against a Serbian oil company majority owned by Russians
Aleksandar Vucic, president of Serbia, said that the United States would introduce financial sanctions in the next few days against Serbia's NIS oil company, which is owned in majority by Russia's Gazprom and Gazprom. Vucic, a reporter for Informer TV, said: "We received confirmation that the U.S. He said that the UK and European Union will likely follow the U.S. by introducing sanctions. This means that oil shipments via a pipeline coming from Croatia will be halted. Vucic stated that they are still awaiting an official document with all the details. The U.S. Treasury Department didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.
Sources say that Russia's Novatek employs lobbyists in order to improve relations with the US.
Two sources familiar with the situation said that Novatek, Russia's largest producer of liquefied gas, is working with lobbyists to try and rebuild U.S. relationships after Washington imposed sanctions against its mammoth Arctic LNG 2 Project. After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the relationship between the United States and Russia reached a post Cold War low. President Joe Biden’s administration imposed sanctions on hundreds entities and individuals who supported the war effort. Novatek's Arctic LNG 2 was to be the largest LNG plant in Russia. Some Russians are cautiously optimistic about the return of U.S.
Moldova declares a state of emergency when the risk of Russian gas being cut off looms
The Moldovan parliament voted on Friday morning to declare a state of national emergency lasting 60 days, starting Dec. 16, due to the expected interruption of Russian gas supply on Jan. After Prime Minister Dorin Recean's request for approval, 56 members of the 101-seat chamber approved the measure just after midnight. He said that the vote was to stop "gas blackmail" by Moscow. Declaring an emergency allows the government respond quickly and reduce energy exports. Ukraine has announced that it will not be extending its transit contract with Russian Gas giant Gazprom. The contract expires December 31.
EUROPE GAS: Prices firm for cold weather, low winds and Norway outages
Dutch and British wholesale prices for gas were slightly higher on Wednesday morning, as a cold snap and low winds supported demand while unplanned outages reduced some Norwegian supply. At 0911 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had increased by 0.15 euros to 45.70 Euro per megawatt hour or MWh (or $14.08/mmbtu). The Dutch day-ahead contracts was up 0.30 euros at 45.80 Euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain gained 0.55 pence, to 113.25 cents per therm. "Our forecast for today is that prices may come under a bit of downward pressure…
EUROPE GAS - Prices stable on warmer temperatures forecasts and strong LNG supply
The wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and Britain were not much different on Tuesday morning, despite warmer temperatures and strong LNG imports. By 0955 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had increased by 0.09 euros to 45.10 Euros per Megawatt Hour (MWh), which is $13.91/mmbtu. The Dutch day-ahead contracts rose by 0.10 euro to 45.05 euros/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain rose by 0.80 pence to 112.00 pence a therm. They said that a strong demand for gas in the future due to low wind production and an unplanned outage of the Asgard gas fields in Norway could provide some assistance.
Gazprombank's Gazprombank order has led to a rouble rally and a reduction in the gas market
The rouble and European gas prices both fell on Friday. This was due to market speculation that Moscow's efforts to assist Gazprombank in bypassing U.S. sanctions would keep Russian gas exports flowing. The decree was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. It stated that the state-owned Gazprombank will only accept roubles for payment of gas exports. The scheme, which was introduced in March 20,22, also prohibited the conversion of foreign currencies into roubles to pay for gas at the bank. It also allowed other parties or banks to sell the roubles at that time. The updated scheme is not clear.
LNG traders divert cargoes to Asia from Europe as demand in the east increases
Analysts and shipping data indicate that three LNG cargoes bound for Europe were diverted to Asia in order to meet the stronger Asian demand, and because gas prices have decreased in Europe. The rapid change of course shows the agility of the trading firms to send LNG supplies either to Europe or Asia. As Asian prices rise, the arbitrage window for sending U.S. and African Liquefied Natural Gas to Asia opens. The price of a million British thermal unit (mmBtu), the most expensive this year, rose to $15.00 per mmBtu on Friday due to colder temperatures in North Asia.
Data shows that Russia's LNG exports from Jan-Nov are up by 5%.
LSEG reported on Monday that Russia's January-November LNG exports increased by 4.7 % compared to a year ago, reaching 29,1 million metric tonnes. Just over half of these were shipped to Europe. In the first 11 month of this year, Europe imported around 14.7 millions tons of Russian exports. This is 51% of all Russian exports. According to data, total supplies were stable in November, with 2.9 million tonnes. The data for October was revised to 2,87 million tons, down from the initial reported 2.97 millions tons. The supply of goods to Europe fell to 1,27 million tonnes last month from 1,66 million tons the previous November.
French spot prices rise due to increased demand and lower wind supply
The French prompt electricity prices increased on Monday due to the expectation of increasing demand and reduced wind output. LSEG data shows that the price of French baseload electricity for Tuesday at 0926 GMT was 132.25 Euros ($139.09 per megawatt-hour (MWh), up 29.7% compared to Friday's price for Monday's delivery. German day-ahead electricity was 139 euros/MWh. LSEG data revealed that the Monday contract had not been traded on Friday. Riccardo Paraviero, LSEG analyst, said: "The signal (on Tuesday) is bullish.
EUROPE GAS Benchmark hits 13-month-high on lower Russian flow and colder outlook
On Monday, the European benchmark gas contract reached its highest level for 13 months as Russian gas flows via Ukraine were slowed down slightly. Colder weather was forecast and gas storage levels continued to fall in Europe. By 0912 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF Hub rose by 1,18 euros to 49.08 euro per megawatt hour(MWh), or $16.12/mmBtu. Early trade briefly reached 49.22 Euros/MWh, the highest intraday rate since November 6, 2023. The day-ahead contract in Britain gained 5.20 pence, to 121.50 cents/therm.
Russia lifts the ban on exporting gasoline to producers
The Russian government announced on Saturday that it had lifted the temporary ban on gasoline exports from producers. However, the restrictions on other exporters such as independent traders or re-sellers will remain in place until January 31, 2025. The original ban on gasoline exports would expire by the end of the year. The ban excludes supplies of former Soviet states to the Moscow led Eurasian Economic Union, as well as other countries such as Mongolia with whom Russia has intergovernmental agreements for fuel supply.
Document shows that the EU Commission has set a 50% storage target by February 2025.
The European Commission announced on Friday that Europe had set a target to have its gas storage 50% full by February 1, 2025. This is to ensure supply security amid cold weather forecasts and fears of Russian gas disruption. It is important to ensure that the gas supplies of the EU do not fall too low during the winter months, and that the supply remains stable in light of the end expected for Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine's transit route. The goal of setting the target for February to an average minimum around 50% is to strengthen the security of the gas supply…
Gazprom's Q3 losses are due to a one-time tax, but the company's 9-month earnings have risen.
Gazprom, Russia’s largest gas producer reported a loss in the third quarter 2024 of 53 billion Russian roubles (US$492,5 million), due to a 20% increase in profit tax rates expected in 2025. In the same period in 2023, the company earned a profit worth 529 million dollars. Gazprom reported that its net income for the nine months of 2023 was 990 billion Russian roubles, up from 353 billion in 2023. This is due to an increase in oil prices and supply as well as "successful", Sakhalin Energy businesses. In March, Shell sold a 27.5% share in the Russian LNG producer Sakhalin Energy.
Prices of EUROPE GAS stabilize as the market waits for new stimuli
The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were mostly unchanged on Friday morning, amid a muted market and some profit-taking. Weather and supply forecasts remained the same. By 1004 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had fallen by 0.37 euros to 45.91 euro per megawatt (MWh) or $14.21/mmBtu. The contract for January was lower by 0.42 euros, at 46.33 Euro/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain fell by 0.85 pence, to 114.50 p/therm. Meanwhile, the January contract was down 1.79 pence, at 116.65 pence/therm.
Prices for gas in Europe are not much different despite the cold weather forecast
Analysts said that the Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were not much different on Thursday, but could rise due to forecasts for colder weather conditions and reduced wind speeds. By 0922 GMT, the benchmark front-month contract for the Dutch TTF hub had fallen by 0.10 euros to 46.41 Euro per megawatt hour or MWh (or $14.60/mmbtu). The Dutch day-ahead contract fell 0.20 euros, to 46.40 Euros/MWh. The day-ahead contract in Britain fell 1.15 pence, to 115.27 pence per therm. Ulrich Weber, LSEG analyst…
