Gazprom’s enormous problems. May withdraw from Europe! – Interia

Gazprom headquarters in Moscow. Fig. Dima Korotajew / Getty Images / Flash Press Media

“Gazprom is engaged in the restructuring of foreign assets. It is expected to sell in the coming years large blocks of shares “, – quotes the document, Gazprom Germania newspaper in which he explains that” this has to do with the change of economic and political conditions. “

The subsidiary of the Russian company, which includes almost all distribution structures Gazprom for abroad, including the US and Asia, does not specify which specific assets to be affected.

Citing a source in one of the foreign structures Gazprom “Vedomosti” explain that carried out the restructuring is a consequence of the EU Third Energy Package European prohibiting gas producers and suppliers to have its transmission infrastructure.

The Journal notes that the summer of 2014 years monopolist has already sold its stake in the Lithuanian Lietuvos Dujos and Amber Grid, and last month Estonian Elering announced that redeems Gazprom securities Vorguteenus Valdus company that owns the gas transmission system operator in Estonia.

The gas market analyst Alexei Grywacz, whose opinion cites “Vedomosti”, predicts that the Russian company would withdraw also from the Latvian Latvijas Gaze.

The newspaper also reminds that at the end of 2014. Gazprom’s board of directors approved the sale of shares in the Finnish monopoly Gasum Oy, which is engaged in gas imports to Finland.

“Vedomosti” note that recently adopted by the European Commission, the EU energy strategy envisages reduction of dependence on Russian gas, particularly the Baltic countries. They emphasize that allowed even the possibility of joint purchase of raw materials by the state.

The Journal reported that the Baltic countries almost 100 percent. They are dependent on Gazprom. “The EU plan provides for a combination of gas transportation systems of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland by the construction of interconnectors, which will ensure the free flow of raw material. The money for this will also provide the EU. Previously, she wants to Gazprom it was not among the owners of the gas transport systems in these countries” – write “Vedomosti”.

According to Grywacza, restructuring of Gazprom’s foreign assets may not confine itself to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. May include – according to him – even Germany. In April this year, the local EWE AG announced that redeems the shares of the Russian company Verbundnetz Gas, a company selling gas in the eastern Länder of Germany.

In addition – give the Russian newspaper – autumn 2014 years Gazprom Germania stopped the project to build underground Saltfleetby gas storage facility in the UK, and in February 2015, Gazprom decided to move from London to St. Petersburg office, Gazprom Marketing & amp; Trading (GM & amp; T), its global marketing and distribution company.