Gazprom Upbeat About Future in Europe Despite Possible Supply Drop

摘要

Undeterred by possible reductions of supplies to Europe this year due to lower demand, Gazprom is confident it will keep its 30% share of its traditional market for at least the next two decades. This confidence, as well as the desire to bypass Ukraine, stands behind Gazprom's determination to proceed with the construction of the South Stream pipeline even if there are problems with attracting financing. In a press briefing Tuesday, Gazprom said that its supplies shipped to Europe, including Turkey, could fall to 158.4 billion cubic meters this year, down from 161.5 Bcm in 2013. Shipments to the former Soviet Union countries, including the Baltic ones, could drop to 56.4 Bcm in 2014, from 59.4 Bcm last year.