Russian gas output down 9.5% in Jan-Feb
Russian natural gas production dropped 9.5% year/year in the first two months of 2023 to only 119.4bn m3, the Moscow-based Vedomosti newspaper reported on March 28, citing energy ministry statistics.
Output in January was down 9.7% versus the same month last year at 62.7bn m3, while in February it was down 8.7% at 56.7bn m3.
Russia's Gazprom has drastically cut pipeline gas exports to Europe over the past year, with shipments now at 10-15% of the pre-war level. Exports to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline are rising fast, but these volumes still pale in comparison to former shipments to Europe. Chinese supplies rose nearly 50% last year to 15.4bn m3, and are expected to climb to 22bn m3 in 2023 and reach 38bn m3 by 2027.
In related news, Power of Siberia has closed down for scheduled maintenance, Telegram channel Gaz-Batyushka reported on March 28, citing sources. Maintenance at the pipeline takes place every spring and autumn. Last spring it was offline between March 29 and April 4.
Russia's government hopes to sign a second gas supply agreement with China to underpin shipments via the planned Power of Siberia 2 pipeline by the end of this year, deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said on March 23.