Gazprom, CNPC agree on gas supply terms

摘要

Moscow—Russia’s Gazprom and China’s state-owned CNPC have signed a legallybinding deal setting out the key conditions for future supplies of pipeline gas to China via the so-called eastern route from East Siberia. Moscow and Beijing have been in talks for years over gas supplies, with price repeatedly representing the biggest obstacle to a deal. However, in March, Gazprom and CNPC signed a memorandum of understanding that envisaged supplies starting in 2018 at a rate of 38 billion cubic meters/year, with a possibility to increase volumes to up to 60 Bcm/year. It was said there was a possibility of prepayment for the gas supplies.