Elliott recalled that plans to build a new gas pipeline system, which would enable Poland to import gas directly from Norway, have been discussed for a long time now, and that these plans were twice put on the back burner due to issues related to the commercial profitability of the project.
"The plan to build new pipeline infrastructure to allow Poland to directly import Norwegian gas is not new and has been abandoned twice before because of a lack of commercial interest. It would need the support of both Norway and Denmark, which may not see the financial benefit to the line," Elliott said.
He added that "Poland seems more committed to making it work than ever before as it looks to reduce dependence on Russian gas imports."
"The bigger question is whether a Norway-Poland gas pipeline is needed given an uncertain gas demand picture in Europe, extremely low commodity prices and the fact that Poland already has import diversity through its newly commissioned LNG import terminal at Swinoujscie," he said.
His remarks came after Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo's visit to Oslo, during which she, in particular, voiced hope for the possible revival of the Baltic Pipe project, which has been kicked around in negotiations between Poland and Denmark for 15 years now.
Over the past two years, Poland has attempted to take measures to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies; in 2015, the Swinoujscie LNG terminal was put into operation.
However, as critics soon discovered, the Qatari gas to be supplied to Poland via its Swinoujscie terminal will be significantly more expensive than Russian supplies, and Warsaw may end up canceling the contract.
