Putin gives final approval for liberalized export policy

摘要

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law amendments that will allow Gazprom's rivals to export LNG in an effort to boost Russia's overall market share in the industry, Reuters reports. Until now, the state-owned energy giant was the only entity allowed to export LNG; the new legislation will allow other firms, namely Rosneft and privately-held Novatek, to launch LNG projects. The law took effect on December 1 and applies only to liquefied natural gas, leaving intact Gazprom's pipeline export monopoly.