A roundup of news and commentary from NGI’s LNG Insight

  • Russia will allow natural gas buyers to pay debts for delivered supplies in currencies other than the ruble after a decree from President Vladimir Putin.
  • Issued at the end of December, the decree amended a previous ban on countries labeled “unfriendly” paying for gas from state-owned Gazprom PJSC in a currency other than the Russian ruble.
  • The March decree resulted in Gazprom denying service to Bulgaria, Finland, Poland and other countries that refused to comply, further reducing the flow of pipeline gas to western Europe.
  • The new policy stipulated that Gazprom wouldn’t necessarily resume service to countries it previously considered in violation of its agreements after debts were paid.