Russia and France Considering New Pipeline Options

Russia and France were yesterday considering new pipeline options to Europe following a severely cold winter, Russian Gazprom has said.

At a meeting between Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee, Alexey Miller, and French Ambassador to Russia, Jean de Gliniasty, the company said both parties agreed that additional gas infrastructure was needed to ensure security of gas supply, particularly in the wake of a Europe-wide cold snap. This cold snap, Gazprom said, "highlighted the relevancy of Nord Stream" in ensuring supply to Europe.

"The parties shared the opinion that new direct gas transmission capacities had to be built from Russia to Europe in order to meet the growing demand of European consumers for Russian natural gas," the statement said.

During the meeting, Mr. Miller and the French ambassador discussed the possibility of France's energy companies' cooperation in new pipeline projects.

France is one of the largest EU customers for Gazprom's gas, with a total of 9.53 billion cubic metres of gas taken from the company last year, following only Germany and Italy in terms of demand.