Gazprom has begun the second phase of construction of the Power of Siberia main gas pipeline, Nasha Gazeta of Gazprom Invest reports.The gas pipeline is being built as a channel for exporting Russian gas to the east, the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.
Its total length is about 3 thousand kilometers.On its way is permafrost, tectonic faults, mountains, forests, swamps and the largest of the Russian rivers Lena.
As the Prime News Agency reminds, deliveries via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline began in December 2019.Gazprom planned to supply gas to China in the amount of up to 5 billion cubic meters in 2020, up to 10 billion in 2021, and up to 15 billion in 2022.
The company intends to reach the design capacity of 38 billion cubic meters by 2025.
Initially, deliveries were behind schedule.At the beginning of the year, China cut gas imports due to the coronavirus pandemic.Only about a third of the planned annual gas deliveries were supplied in the first six months.
Nonetheless, in January-October Gazprom delivered 3.06 billion cubic meters of gas to China via the Power of Siberia, Vesti.ru informed.
As was reported in October, the daily gas supplies from Russia to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline began to exceed contractual obligations. Thus, the project started gaining momentum in terms of both supplies and construction.
The news is undoubtedly positive, as it means that all agreements for operating the project are maintained and fulfilled according to the schedule, Alor Group chief analyst Alexei Antonov says.
However, he believes, in reality, with the growing popularity of LNG, the Russian gas giant will have a semi-filled pipe. China has been for several years pursuing an active policy of cooperation with alternative energy suppliers.
In particular, gas is supplied through three pipelines from Turkmenistan, and a fourth line is being built through Tajikistan, he said.China is actively building terminals for receiving LNG.
It is noteworthy that they are under construction on the PRC’s northern coast, where an exit point for the Power of Siberia is also designed.Another negative factor for exporters is China’s development of the domestic gas industry.
In particular, only proven reserves of shale gas in one of the mountainous provinces this year have increased from 191 to 792 billion cubic meters of gas.
Nury AMANOV