Russian Rivals Push Gazprom's Asian Moves

摘要

As threats to its LNG export monopoly mount from Russian rivals, Gazprom appears to be beefing up efforts to crack the Asian gas market. The state-controlled behemoth said last week it has approved the initial investment rationale for its Vladivostok LNG project and, in a new twist, will go it alone, without its original Japanese partners. The move is seen as indicative of Gazprom's desire to have a free rein in marketing future LNG output, particularly to China, with which the main parameters of new gas supply deals could be inked next month.