How will Russia respond to Europe's changing gas market?

Changing European gas market dynamics present new challenges and opportunities for Russia, Europe's largest supplier. With new pipelines beyond Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream looking unlikely, is LNG Russia's ticket to Europe and beyond? Kateryna Filippenko, principal analyst for gobal gas supply, talks about Russia's moves to monetise giant gas reserves while mitigating the risks of European decarbonisation and diversification efforts.   

Infrastructure availability crucial to meet European demand

Russia will retain ambitions to develop additional direct export routes into Europe as it maintains its strategic goal to bypass Ukraine. But it will need clear, unified support from Europe to embark on construction of new pipelines. Consequently, such new pipelines are unlikely.

Ukraine transit will be vital for stable and flexible supply into Europe in the near-term, particularly during seasonal demand peaks, maintenance periods and ramp-up of new pipeline infrastructure. Ukraine transit will also help Russia increase piped supply post-2030.

Russia is the largest supplier in the European gas supply mix. Its market share grew from 32% in 2015 to 37% in 2018 – and this is only piped gas. Gazprom intends to maintain this above 35% through to 2035, which could amount to about a half of Europe's overall gas imports. 

But Russia will aim higher. While Gazprom will be able to use its pipe network and Ukraine transit to increase exports further, ramping them up significantly will require new export capacity.

Is LNG the way to go?

We expect Russia to review its traditional pipeline-based export model, and turn to LNG instead, at least for supplies to Europe. It will use LNG to grow its position in both the European and global market.

Unlike piped gas, Russian LNG is less likely to be met with objections from Europe, given its flexibility. LNG offers an opportunity to respond quickly to price and market signals and access more markets, in and beyond Europe – particularly a premium Asian market. This is crucial amid the decarbonisation and diversification efforts in Europe.

Expansion of Russia's export capacity via LNG will be competitive on a cost basis against new pipes and competing global LNG projects.

The Russian government has big plans for its LNG industry – it aims to produce about 120 million to 140 million tonnes per annum (mmtpa) of LNG by 2035, becoming one of the top three LNG exporters in the world with up to 20% market share. At present Russia’s share of the global LNG market is only 8%, but growing. Indeed, Russian LNG volumes into Europe for the first half of 2019 total 8 million tonnes making it the second largest supplier after Qatar.

Assuming that Russia maintains 60 bcm of Ukraine transit capacity and develops new LNG projects, the country’s export capacity available to Europe will grow by around 80 bcm between 2019 and 2035 – almost matching the increase in Europe’s import dependency.

Opting for additional LNG rather than new pipeline projects will mean less direct tax revenue for the government and a potential revision of Russia’s traditional export approach. And more work needs to be done encouraging cooperation between the country’s leading oil and gas companies to support this.

But LNG will ensure alignment with a range of governmental strategic goals and broaden Russia’s reach into new markets. It will allow to monetise giant gas reserves in an optimal way while derisking against European decarbonisation and diversification efforts.

Visit the store to purchase the full report.