The article presents current and official data for 2016, based on the statistical information provided by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Modern conditions of human life cannot be imagined without the presence of natural gas as a fuel. Ecological cleanliness, good thermal conductivity, easy transportability, relatively low price and other positive properties make it indispensable in many areas of human life, industry and power industry.

World leaders in natural gas production in the world

The main consumers are geographically located outside the districts. This is due to the geography of the distribution of industry and the electric power industry, as well as the population density in a particular region.

Since the 1970s, the largest volumes of consumption have been in three regions of the globe: North America, Overseas Europe and CIS countries. Of these regions, only the United States of America and Canada can fully supply themselves with the necessary reserve of the fuel resource. In other regions, large consumption is not at the expense of their own resources - exports from producing countries prevail.

The diagram shows the main areas of gas production in the world, individual countries are taken as the area. In total, all indicators are taken as 100%, not counting the rest of the territories, which account for a small amount of development. The unit of measure in the diagram is billion cubic meters.

In terms of natural gas production, more than 25% of the world belongs to the United States, which occupy a leading position. The second place is occupied by Russia, which accounts for about 20 percent of the total production of the ten leading regions.

The position of countries in the list of leaders in gas production does not at all mean the leadership of these states in the world fuel trade, that is, exports to other regions of the world. For 2016, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compiled a rating of states that are export-oriented, of which eight are the leaders.

About 1,200 billion cubic meters of gas are concentrated in the twenty largest gas fields. The geography of areas that are rich in this natural resource is confined to the territories of the following states of the world:

1. Russia. 9 of the 20 largest fuel deposits are located on the lands Russian Federation. Most of them were opened in the 60-80s of the last century. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, three new large deposits were discovered in Russia, which were included in the TOP-20: West Kamchatskoye, Leningradskoye and Rusanovskoye (read also -).
2. USA. There are 4 largest deposits in the sub-region, which were discovered in the mid-1960s, and began to be intensively used at the end of the 20th century.
3. Qatar and Iran. There are two rich places here, one of which simultaneously occupies the state lands of Qatar and Iran.
4. Turkmenistan. Just one rich place that is among the leaders in terms of gas reserves.
5. China. One large deposit, which was discovered in 2008 and ranked tenth in the TOP-20 states in terms of resource reserves ().
6. Algeria. The last three lines in the ranking are occupied by regions of Algeria. Hassi Mel is the oldest in the country, discovered back in 1957, but to this day, and the largest in terms of its reserves in Algeria. Two others were opened in 2004 and 2006.

The first place in the list of the largest deposits is occupied by North or South Pars, which is located within two countries at once - Qatar and Iran, as well as in the water area of ​​the Persian oil and gas basin and the Gulf. It was discovered in 1991 and currently its reserves exceed 270 billion cubic meters. The Persian Gulf is a world giant not only in terms of the presence of deposits, but also in terms of production in the Asian oil and gas region.

After the opening in 2006 of a new place Galkynysh in Turkmenistan, it took second place in the list of world leaders. It owns 210 billion cubic meters of the resource, the deposits of which are located within the Murghab oil and gas basin.

The third place belongs to the Russian Federation, namely the Urengoy region, confined to the West Siberian oil and gas basin. It was discovered in 1996, in 2016 its reserves amount to 10.2 trillion cubic meters.

The main areas of gas production in the world

Below is a map that reflects the geography of distribution of the largest gas fields throughout the globe. The main deposits of blue fuel are concentrated within the leading countries in terms of annual .

The largest mineral reserves are located within the following deposits on the planet:

• Gulf of Mexico and Alaska in the United States of America;
• in the Russian Federation, the southern and northern regions of Western Siberia, the territories of the Far East and Sakhalin, the shelves of two seas - the Barents and Kara;
• deposits located within Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia of the Persian Gulf;
• the southern regions of Turkmenistan, whose minerals are exported to three countries - Poland, Ukraine and Hungary;
• Algeria and Nigeria are the only sub-regions in Africa with natural gas deposits. The fuel here is of high quality, in which there is no high content of harmful impurities and slags;
• in the North Sea of ​​Norway. The volumes of natural gas deposits are considered the largest in Europe;
• on the lands of Canada there are several largest areas within the island of Newfoundland of the northern provinces, including the shelf of the Western Canadian Basin;
• in China, the main areas of gas production are concentrated in the Tari Basin

OPEC statistics indicate that with the growing consumption of blue fuel on the planet, the remaining reserves will only last for the next 65 years. In all state deposits, there are no more than 180 trillion cubic meters of combustible matter. More than 120 trillion are fuel reserves that have not yet been explored, since they lie at a very great depth in the earth's crust and are practically not available for global production.

It is impossible to overestimate the role of natural gas, which is in great demand and is declining catastrophically, given the global consumption volumes, it is impossible. The United States and Russia have become the leaders in gas production in the world, constantly competing for superiority and having hundreds of deposits of this wealth on their territories.

The annual production of shale gas by these two countries is 40% of the world's volumes. The United States has practically abandoned imported gas and is actively developing its territories by converting part of the gas production facilities for export purposes.

The instability of the world gas market, an increase in its exports to other countries and, as a result, a decrease in prices, forces Russia to cancel long-term gas supply contracts, constantly make concessions in prices to importing countries and develop new fields with less intensity.

The extraction of this raw material, although at a slower pace, is carried out on the territory of Qatar, Iran, SAO, Algeria and other countries.

The tendency to increase gas production, which began in the middle of the 20th century, has increased tenfold in our time. This is due to the increase in aviation, road, sea transport, the development of the chemical industry, which has increased tenfold in demand for electrical energy resources. Possibility in the near future to transfer a number of Vehicle(including most of the cars), on a relatively inexpensive gas fuel, has increased its world production several times over the past eight years, and has occupied the minds of scientists with the discovery of new deposits, accumulation forms and methods of gas production.

Data on gas production of conglomerate states vary. Each country maintains its own statistics, which are summarized for the year and published in print media. According to the reports of statistical agencies, over the past few years, the United States has quadrupled gas production in shale deposits, overtaking Russia, and is not going to slow down.

Only data on gas sold and actually consumed in the country can be recorded, the costs and utilization factor associated with production (losses during gas emissions into the atmosphere, combustion during production, etc.) are not taken into account. The utilization factor is the greater, the greater the degree of development of the gas industry.

By 2030, shale gas reserves (for which the standard deep well drilling method is used) will be at a critical limit in many countries. According to scientists, the world's reserves of this fuel are decreasing exponentially every year, and the rate of production predicts the depletion of the resource in 50-70 years. The issue of extraction of hydrated and mine methane gas becomes topical. Both varieties are currently only beginning to enter the field of study. Their production is associated with the construction of new drilling rigs and the development of new methods of gas purification from impurities.

Gas is the safest fuel in terms of environmental impact. When it is burned, a smaller amount of harmful volatile compounds is formed than from the combustion of other types of fuel. The main danger threatening humanity with an increase in gas production is a reduction in the species abundance of animals due to deforestation in the territories of gas fields, as well as erosion processes occurring under the influence of drilling.

Statistical overview of the leading countries in gas production in the world

	Volume share of production, billion cubic meters m.	Percentage of production among the leading countries	The largest deposits	Territorial location	Total reserves of trillion cubic meters m.
			gulf coast
			Urengoy, Bovanenskoe	Western and Eastern Siberia
			South Pars	Persian Gulf
			North Pars	Persian Gulf
			rainbow lake	Newfoundland islands
				Southwest China
Norway			Troll West	North Sea
Saudi Arabia				Eastern part of SAO
			HassiRmel	North Africa
Turkmenistan			Galkynysh	Southeast of Turkmenistan

1. USA - the volume of production has grown over the past three years by 4 times and tends to increase. Due to this, they stopped almost completely importing gas into their territories. Main deposit:

• Gulf Coast Basin Mining occurs in the rocky mountainous regions of eastern Texas and southern Arkansas. The depth of the gas is more than 3 kilometers.

Russia - the main deposits are located in Western Siberia and the Far East, they are unique in size, often associated with oil fields (gas is a by-product of oil production). Leaders among deposits:

• Urengoy field - Western Siberia - the third largest in the world - reserves - 4.5 trillion. cube m., more than a thousand wells. Today, it is possible to extract gas only from very deep layers of sediments.
• Markovskoye field - Eastern Siberia - 2.4 trillion. cube m.
• Bovanenskoye field - Yamal Peninsula - 3.2 trillion. cube m., despite the recent development period, and a small volume of production, is considered very promising.
• Ust-Vilyuiskoye deposits - Far East- 1.5 trillion. cube m.

Russia is the main gas exporting state in the world, and it has advantages over other producers due to two ways of supplying raw materials: by sea (gas is transported in liquid form) and through a gas pipeline.

Gulf countries

Development is carried out on the territory of the Persian Gulf, which is divided by a tectonic fault into 2 parts. Both deposits are of different age of origin and are isolated from each other.

1. Iran - South Pars, - the northern part of the Gulf.
2. Qatar - North Pars - the southern part of the Gulf.
3. SAO - Gavar - the eastern part of the Persian Gulf. The depth of occurrence depends on the rock of the gas-bearing layer and ranges from 1 to 3 km.

Raw materials are exported in large quantities to most European countries.

1. Canada - the main reserves are located in the northern province of Newfoundland, capture part of the Appalachian mountains - several gas fields. Most of the produced gas is exported to the United States.

• Rainbow Lake is the southern part of the Canadian state.

China - the largest field is being developed in the southwestern part of China, in the Sichuan depression, which is located in a mountainous area. 50% of the extracted fuel is used to meet their needs

• - Dazhou is one of the administrative centers in Sichuan province. Active importer of fuel - about 25 billion. cube m per year.

Norway - ranks second among European countries in the production of blue fuel - the Norwegian region of the North Sea is being developed at a fast pace.

• - Troll West - the occurrence of fossil raw materials occurs at a depth of 400 meters, from at least three sources.

Algeria is one of the five most major exporters world, gas fields are separated from oil fields. The gas is clean in chemical composition (includes a minimum amount of impurities).

• -Hassi-Rmel - location - north of Algeria.

Turkmenistan - has giant deposits. Actively exports gas fuel to Europe.

• Galkynysh - location - southeast of Turkmenistan, includes three large deposits.

15.09.2014

The role of gas in modern society hard to overestimate. The volume of natural gas in the global energy balance is 25%, and according to forecasts, by 2050 it will grow to 30%.

In that summary of the current state of the gas industry, we want to indicate only figures and facts, without trying to give our own analysis, and thus we want to interest the public and give them the opportunity to draw their own analysis and conclusions.

Table 2. Distribution of proven gas reserves by countries of the world,%

Note: in Russia - 47.6 trillion m3, Iran - 26.6, Qatar -25.8, Saudi Arabia - 6.7, UAE - 6.0, USA - 5.4, Nigeria - 5.0, Algeria - 4.6, Venezuela - 4.3.

The reserves of traditional natural gas in the world are about 174 trillion m3. The main gas reserves in Russia are concentrated in the area of ​​the Yamal Peninsula and amount to 16 trillion m3.

Prospective and projected reserves add another 22 trillion m3. Gas reserves in the Siberian and Far Eastern districts have yet to be developed, although Sakhalin has been supplied to Japan for several years.

Gas production

Currently, gas production in the world is 3.3 trillion m3 per year. Gas production in the EU countries remains at the same level, even a slight decrease is planned.

Iran increased production, Qatar moved from 14th place in terms of production to sixth. China and India moved up in the rankings. U.S. gas production has increased due to gas produced from shale rock (“shale gas”).

Gas production in Russia is carried out by several companies (in bcm):

• OJSC "Gazprom" - 510,
• OAO NOVATEK - 25,
• JSC "LUKOIL" - 14,
• JSC "Surgutneftegaz" - 12,
• NK Rosneft - 12.

Gas export

The main gas exporting countries are:

• Russia (150 bcm),
• Norway (98),
• Canada (92),
• Qatar (68),
• Algeria (52),
• Netherlands (46),
• Indonesia (36).

The main exporter of gas in the world is Russia. The amount of gas exported includes gas transported through pipeline systems and in the form of LNG.

Table 4. Dynamics of Russian gas supplies to Europe

In total, since 1973, more than 3.5 trillion m3 of natural gas has been supplied to European countries, 70% of gas supplies from Russia Western Europe, 30% - to the Central European states.

Table 5. Natural gas supplies in 2011:

to Western European countries (billion m3)
Germany	34,02
Türkiye	26,0
Italy	17,08
France	9,53
Great Britain	8,16
Austria	5,43
Netherlands	4,37
Finland	4,19
Greece	2,90
Switzerland	0,31
Denmark	0,04
to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (billion m3)
Poland	10,25
Czech	7,59
Hungary	6,26
Slovakia	5,89
Romania	2,82
Bulgaria	2,81
Serbia	1,39
Bosnia and Herzegovina	0,28
Macedonia	0,13
to the countries of the former Soviet Union(billion m3)
Ukraine	35,5
Belarus	21,8
Kazakhstan	3,4
Lithuania	0,7
Armenia	1,4
Latvia	0,7
Estonia	0,4
Georgia	0,2

Gas import

There are 67 countries importing natural gas in the world, Macau closes the list - 154 million m3. The USA is among the importers - the demand for gas in the USA exceeds its own production. Russia imports gas for further transportation through its networks, although gas reserves and exports should not force gas imports, but this is beneficial for Russia.

Table 6. Gas importing countries (billion m3)

Gas consumption

Consumption energy resources, including gas, characterizes economic development countries.
In short-term fluctuations, the reasons for the increase (decrease) in gas consumption may be warming or cooling of the climate, crises, force majeure. But in the long term, gas consumption will increase.

For Russia, gas is the main fuel, its share in primary energy consumption is 55.2%.

Table 7. Largest natural gas consuming countries, bcm

A country	2009	Share in world consumption in 2009, %
USA	646,6	22,0
Russia	389,7	13,3
Iran	131,7	4,5
Canada	94,7	3,2
Japan	87,4	3,0
China	88,7	3,0
Great Britain	86,5	2,9
Germany	78,0	2,7
Saudi Arabia	77,5	2,6
Italy	71,6	2,4
Mexico	69,6	2,4
UAE	59,1	2,0
Uzbekistan	48,7	1,7
Ukraine	47,0	1,6
Argentina	43,1	1,5
France	42, 6	1,4

Gas transportation

Today, we know three ways to transport gas: onshore pipeline systems, underwater gas pipelines and the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) mainly by sea.

It makes no sense to talk about world pipeline systems (main gas pipelines) - this is an immense topic. Obviously, no one knows the total extent of this system.

Therefore, we will talk about the gas transmission system of Russia, especially since gas is supplied from this system to most European countries. The length of the Russian system is 160 thousand km. We will also touch briefly on LNG transport.

The main gas suppliers in Russia at present are the largest fields (Yamburg, Urengoy, Medvezhye) concentrated in the Nadym-Pur-Tazovsky region in the north of Western Siberia and providing 92% of all Russian gas production. The Bovanenkovskoye field in Yamal began producing gas in October 2012.

The Yamal-Europe transnational gas pipeline runs through four countries; its design capacity is 32 bcm per year; the length is more than 2 thousand km.

The Ukrainian gas transport corridor includes the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod gas pipeline. In Slovakia, the gas pipeline is split. On one branch gas goes to Austria and further to the north of Europe. The second branch of gas goes to southern Europe. The volume of gas transit is 30.5 billion m3 per year.

The Nord Stream pipeline directly links Russia and Germany along the seabed. Its length is about 1200 km, the throughput capacity is 55 billion m3 per year.

The Blue Stream gas pipeline is intended for direct gas supplies to Turkey through the Black Sea. The length of the gas pipeline is 1213 km, the design capacity is 16 billion m3 per year.

The South Stream gas pipeline project is designed to increase gas exports to Europe. The offshore section of the gas pipeline is approximately 900 km. The design capacity is 63 billion m3 per year.

Of the recently built gas pipelines, it should be noted: Bovanenkovskoye field (Yamal) - Ukhta. Sakhalin-Khabarovsk - Vladivostok (36 billion m3 per year). Gas pipelines Yakutia-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok (25 billion m3 per year) and others are being designed.

In order to ensure uninterrupted gas supplies during periods of increased demand, systems of underground gas storages (UGS) are being developed. The capacity of UGS facilities in Europe owned by Russia is about 3.0 billion m3, the daily capacity is 35.7 million m3 (it is planned to increase the capacity of UGS facilities by 2015 to 5.0 billion m3).

Part 2 of the article "The state of the gas industry in the world":
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and unconventional gases

Article prepared by:
Shenyavsky Yuri Lvovich,
President of the Gas Club of St. Petersburg

We present to your attention a list of countries producing and exporting natural gas in large quantities.
10. Algiers. Gas reserves: 4.5 trillion cubic meters

Algeria ranks 10th in world gas production. The amount of gas in this North African country is 2.5% of the world's reserves. And half of this number is mined at the Hassi R'Mey field, located in the southeast of the country. Gas companies such as Total and Shell have been operating in the country for decades. Gas production is carried out by three plants with 15 production lines. Two of them are located in the city of Arzev and one in the city of Skikda.

9. Nigeria. Gas reserves: 5.1 trillion cubic meters

This country ranks first in gas production on the African continent. Also, it is a member of OPEC. And this despite the fact that in Nigeria high level corruption, political instability, weak economy and poorly developed infrastructure. Nigeria is a country very dependent on gas, because the profit from its exports is 95% of income in foreign currency. In 2010, Nigeria became a leader in the export of liquefied natural gas. After all, the volume of this exported natural resource is 21.9 million tons.

8. Venezuela. Gas reserves: 5.6 trillion cubic meters

The country's gas reserves account for 2.9% of the world's. But most of them are gas associated with oil. Most of the deposits are located in Norte De Pario (an area north of Trinidad and Tobago). But the gas sector in Venezuela is not very developed, which holds back its development. The main gas pipelines are owned by PDVSA GAS.

7. UAE. Gas reserves: 6.1 trillion cubic meters

Most of the country's gas reserves are located in its capital, Dubai. Oil fields are located there, there is a gas reserve "Khuff". In 1977, the first LPG plant was built in the UAE by ADGAS. It is currently processing natural gas from all oil fields in the country.

6. Saudi Arabia. Gas reserves: 8.2 trillion cubic meters

All oil and gas fields are owned by the only state-owned company in the country - Saudi Aramco. It has a monopoly in this area. In total, Saudi Arabia has more than 70 deposits located in 8 regions of the country. Currently, there is an accelerated pace of gas production. This is due to the diversification of the economy. The country, which is one of the leaders in the extraction of this natural resource, plans to increase gas to the world market. As for the mixed oil and gas fields found at the end of the 20th century, they are located in the oil fields of Kirkuk. Clean deposits, which make up 1/5 of the country's total reserves, are located in the Gavar oil field.

5. USA. Gas reserves: 9.8 trillion cubic meters

More than half of the country's gas reserves are located in just four states: Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and Oklahoma. Also, about 5% of the mineral is taken from the continental shelf, which is under the jurisdiction of the US government. The main gas producing companies of the country, which occupies the middle of the top leaders in gas production, are: BP, ExxonMobil.

4. Turkmenistan. Gas reserves: 17.5 trillion cubic meters

Natural gas is an integral part of the economy of Turkmenistan, which is one of the leaders in the extraction of this mineral. After all, most of the country's reserves are spent on its export. All gas is produced in one field - Galkynysh. According to experts, it contains more than 25 trillion cubic meters. A few years ago, the plans included a project to build the Nabucco pipe. But he died through the fault of the government of the country. And he had high hopes.

3. Qatar. Gas reserves: 24.5 trillion cubic meters

All LPG plants are located in the same city of Qatar - Ras Laffan. The first plant was built in 1996, and gas supplies began a year later. Almost 85% of the total gas produced is supplied to the European, Asian and North American markets. This became possible thanks to the successful geographic location countries that took bronze in the ranking of states that are leaders in gas production.

2. Russia. Gas reserves: 32.6 trillion cubic meters

Gas export is the most important part of the Russian economy - the leader in production in this area. The natural resource is mined in Western Siberia (Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug), in the Urals, in the Lower Volga region and in the North Caucasus. Gas reserves account for more than 60% of all Russian resources. The natural resource is transported through the Unified Gas Supply System and gas pipeline network, more than 140 thousand km long. The gas producer is the Gazprom monopoly, which provides 95% of the natural resource from all production in the country.

1. Iran. Gas reserves: 34 trillion cubic meters

All fields are located in the north of the country, which ranks first in gas production in the world, and on the shelf near the Persian Gulf. Foreign (French, Chinese, Belarusian) investors, who came to the country in the late 90s, work on the extraction of natural resources. True, they stopped their activities for a time when sanctions were imposed against Iran, but it seems that now they can return to the market again. The country's authorities plan to increase gas production to 1 billion cubic meters per day by 2017. All reserves of Iran are 18% of the world.

According to the International Energy Agency, natural gas was the world's leading fossil fuel in terms of consumption growth rates from 2006 to 2019. Gas demand can be expected to continue to grow in 2020, mainly due to increased consumption in Asia, and especially in China, Beijing's environmental policy includes very ambitious targets to reduce polluting emissions and the mandatory transition of the entire country from coal to gas.

Gas is very popular due to its prevalence, ease of use and relatively low environmental hazard. Thus, compared to coal, natural gas produces 40% less carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particles (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) when burned. That is why gas is often used as an auxiliary or backup source of energy in energy networks powered by solar panels or wind turbines, which, as you know, can supply current with significant interruptions.

Also, gas is one of the key raw materials in the petrochemical industry. As of 2019, natural gas and its by-products account for about 29% of the total fossil fuels used in the chemical industry.

Gas production in Russia

2019: Decline in Gazprom's exports by 38% in the second quarter

The second quarter of 2019 turned out to be a failure for Gazprom's revenue from gas exports: revenues fell by 38% compared to the first quarter. The loss is really colossal: the former $14.1 billion against the current $8.7 billion. Such a negative trend is associated with a decrease in gas exports to far abroad by 5.9%. But the greatest damage was caused by a sharp drop in the cost of energy. Gas prices in the European Union have fallen to absolute lows over the past 10 years. It will sound unexpected, but the domestic gas monopoly easily overcomes a gigantic decline in revenue.

The reason lies in the uniquely low cost of Russian gas. In Europe, only Gazprom was capable of selling gas at such a low price and not going down the pipe. In the hope of maintaining market share and waiting for prices to recover, American LNG suppliers increased LNG supplies to European countries by 1.5 times. But they do it to their own detriment: operating losses in the supply of gas from the US to Europe amount to $37–48 per 1,000 cubic meters. m. They will not be able to work indefinitely in the red, there are already rumors that the construction of new LNG capacities in the States may be postponed.

In fact, low prices squeezed out with European market Gazprom's competitors without any effort on the part of the latter. This does not apply to the three main gas suppliers to Europe: Norway, Algeria and Qatar. They also export their gas through pipelines, and firmly hold their positions.

2018: The share of Russian gas in Europe reached more than 35%

2016

34% share in the EU market

Forecast about the zeroing of exports to Europe through Ukraine and Belarus

According to Gazprom, in the first seven months of 2016, Russian gas exports to non-CIS countries increased by 9.5 billion cubic meters, or 10.7% (compared to January-July 2015).

Basic Scenario for Gas Export from Russia to Europe (Forbes Russia, December, 2016)

In the maximum scenario of new Russian gas pipelines to Europe, both branches of Nord Stream 2 are being built, as well as both branches of the Turkish Stream. In this scenario, the Ukrainian GTS becomes unnecessary. Moreover, Russian gas supplies to Europe via Belarus and Poland also become nominally redundant after 2025, which undoubtedly explains Poland’s sharp reaction to the prospects for increasing the use of Nord Stream 1 capacity and plans to build Nord Stream 2 ". The point is not at all the gas security of Europe, but the potential loss of transit volumes and the growing dependence of Poland on Germany as a new transit country for Russian gas for Eastern European countries.

2015: Export of Russia of 211.5 billion cubic meters - No. 1 in the world

Europe remains the largest consumer of Russian gas.

In addition, Gazprom supplies LNG to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India and China.

In 2015, European sales of Russian gas increased to 158.6 billion cubic meters.

2012: The plan of growth of export to Europe to 154 billion cubic meters

Gas exports to Europe, according to Gazprom's calculations, should have increased in 2012 to 154 billion cubic meters. m from 150 billion cubic meters. m in 2011

Significant volumes of supply in foreign countries must be achieved in the longer term. In particular, in accordance with the scheme for the development of the gas industry until 2030, Russia will increase gas production by 1.5 times - up to 1 trillion cubic meters. m per year, and exports should increase to 455-520 billion cubic meters. m per year.

At this time, Russia is preparing to increase production and export of oil and gas. Companies producing hydrocarbons are actively taking up the development of yet undeveloped and little-studied offshore projects in the Arctic, completing the construction of gas and oil pipelines, and also planning new projects in this area. The plans also include the development of new sales regions, in particular the Asia-Pacific direction.

2011: Export of 203.9 billion cubic meters (+11%), with production of 670 billion

In 2011, the export of Russian gas, as planned, increased significantly. The main influence on this process was a certain recovery of the economies of European countries and a cold winter. In January-December 2011, 203 billion 936.2 million cubic meters were exported from the Russian Federation. m, which is 11% more than a year earlier with production of 670 billion cubic meters. m.

2007: Gazprom officially receives a monopoly on gas exports

In 2007, the unified gas export channel that existed before that de facto was legally formalized and the implementation of the state monopoly on gas exports was entrusted by the state to the owner unified system gas supply (UGSS) represented by Gazprom.

1991: Russia inherits from the USSR a system of gas contracts with European companies

Russia inherited from the USSR a system of gas contracts between the Soviet oil and gas ministry and European companies. Gas delivery points in contracts with Europeans roughly corresponded to the former western borders of Eastern European countries that were part of the socialist bloc. Gazprom became the assignee of these export contracts and supplemented them with new ones.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, challenges arose in Russia's gas trade with Europe, the need to respond to which shaped the Russian gas export strategy for the next 25 years.

Transit risk

The first and most serious was the unprecedented dependence of Russian gas exports on transit through third countries, primarily through Ukraine. In the early 1990s, more than 90% of Russian gas exports to Europe were carried out through export gas pipelines created in Soviet times on the territory of Ukraine. By the end of 2016, as a result of the implementation of the program for the construction of new gas pipelines, only 40% of Russian gas exports go to Europe through Ukraine.

Game changer in Europe

The second challenge was the formation of a single European economic space and the liberalization of the European gas market, which changed the traditional relationship between Russia and companies importing Russian gas and led to the desire of European clients to modify traditional long-term contracts. Against the backdrop of a record rise in gas prices in Europe in 2009-2014 and a reduction in consumption, the Europeans managed to negotiate price discounts with Gazprom, which shifted the historical balance of interests in favor of consumers.

Competition from alternative suppliers

The third challenge was the activation of alternative suppliers-competitors against the backdrop of the declared goal of the European Union to diversify sources of gas supplies and reduce dependence on Russia. By the end of 2016, LNG (especially from the USA) is being actively discussed as an alternative to Gazprom's pipeline gas supplies to Europe. According to the results of 2016, American LNG turned out to be uncompetitive in terms of price compared to Russian gas and was practically not supplied to Europe.

1973: Export to Europe of 6.8 billion cubic meters

By 1973, European sales of Soviet gas reached 6.8 billion cubic meters.

1968: Contract with the Austrian OMV for export to Western Europe

In 1968, under a contract with the Austrian company OMV, exports to Western Europe began.

1940s: First gas export - Poland

The first gas deliveries outside the USSR started in Poland in the mid-1940s.