“The ministry believes that the optimum variant of maintaining the export of pipeline-delivered gas is through a single export canal in the current macro-economic conditions. But before reviewing the possibility of a full liberalization of gas exports, it’s necessary to conduct an analysis of the effectiveness of the decision already made in regard to the liberalization of [liquefied natural gas] exports [after 2018 when the LNG plant in Yamal begins operations], as well as the redistribution of obligations in providing the domestic market with gas between all of its participants. Currently, independent gas producers have the ability of delivering gas for export through an agency agreement with Gazprom,” the source told RIA Novosti.
The Russian legislation currently only allows Gazprom and its subsidiary Gazprom Export to export pipeline gas.
Gazprom is the largest extractor of natural gas in the world, accounting for 12 percent of the global gas output, according to the company. The Russian government holds the majority stake in the company.
