Gazprom Export Launches Gas Auction

Gazprom Export on Friday launched an auction of an additional 3.24 billion cubic metres of gas to northwest Europe for the coming winter, providing relief following caps to Dutch production and depleted inventories.

"In September 2015, Gazprom Export will conduct a series of natural gas sales auctions for the Delivery Period Winter 2015/2016," Gazprom Export said in a statement on its website.

"All our existing as well as potential new customers are welcome to participate in the prequalification procedure," it said.

European gas markets had been facing tight supplies this winter following a decision by the Dutch government to cap production at Europe's biggest gas field, Groningen, earlier this year.

Reporting by Oleg Vukmanovic