09 September 2003 10:26
Independent gas producers blame Gazprom for falsifying statistics
Russian policymakers intend to gradually diminish Gazprom's monopoly and develop competitiveness in the gas sector. However, there are no signs of such a process as yet, according to the Russky Kurier newspaper. Chairman of the Russian Union of Independent Gas Producers Viktor Baranov has spelled out why there is no reduction in Gazprom's share in the Russian gas market. "The Russian energy strategy through 2020 envisages a sharp increase in the share of independent gas companies. Given that Russia needs around 700bn cubic meters of gas a year (including for meeting export obligations) and that Gazrpom produces nearly 530bn cubic meters of gas a year, gas production of independent gas producers should total about 170bn cubic meters. However, according to independent experts, by the year 2020 the output volume of independent gas producers will amount to 350bn cubic meters. That is why we believe that figures introduced in the mentioned energy strategy have been deliberately understated." "Now there is an objective necessity of reforms in the Russian gas sector, there are independent producers, an interregional oil and gas exchange and other constituents of a free market. These developments make the government shift toward liberalization of the gas market. The main stumbling block is access to backbone pipelines. It is the settlement of this problem that may enable all gas producers to become more or less equal. However, the settlement of this problem will mean the loss of a monopoly status for Gazprom." "After so many years of being a gas monopoly in Russia, Gazprom will hardly be glad to see private competitors. That is why the potential of independent gas producers is deliberately underreported."
[RBC] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
