Russian LNG exports to the EU can be equivalent to gas pipeline supplies

Alexey Gromov, Principal Director on Energy Studies of the Institute for Energy and Finance, commented to the Prime information agency on the prospects for exporting Russian LNG to Europe.

The volume of Russian LNG exports to the EU countries this year may for the first time match the supply of pipeline gas, which will form a "new gas reality," Alexey Gromov told RIA Novosti.

The interlocutor of the agency recalled that before the start of the special military operation, the volume of Russian pipeline gas supplies amounted to 140 billion cubic meters. By the end of this year, it may be reduced to about 21-22 billion cubic meters, Gromov believes. "And this will already be comparable to the volumes of LNG. We are seeing such trends today," he explained.

According to the expert, LNG from Russia plays an important role in the energy supply of Western European countries due to the lack of alternative sources of supply. Now the entire volume of LNG produced has already been contracted. New projects — primarily in the USA and Qatar — are planned to be launched only after 2025.

"When more LNG volumes appear on the market, Europe will be able to plan for abandoning Russian gas. Until that time, Russian LNG supplies to Europe will continue," Gromov concluded.