According to the preliminary data, the production of natural gas by Gazprom was 376.9 billion cubic meters for the period Jan-Nov 2022. This is 19.4% less than the figures for the corresponding period of the previous year, says a press release of Gazprom issued on 1 December 2022.
The Gazprom presser says, “Demand for the company’s gas from the gas transmission system in the domestic market over this period decreased by 5.7% (by 12.8 billion cubic meters). At the same time, on November 28, Gazprom’s gas transmission system supplied Russian consumers with a record volume of gas for that day, and on November 29, the absolute historical daily maximum for November was reached – 1,486.7 million cubic meters.”
It says, “Gas exports to non-CIS countries amounted to 95.2 billion cubic meters – 44.5% (by 76.3 billion cubic meters) less than in the same period in 2021. Gazprom supplies gas according to confirmed orders.”
The press release mentions that the gas exports to China are growing via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline under a bilateral long-term contract between Gazprom and CNPC. Deliveries regularly go beyond the daily contract quantities.
“The decrease in gas consumption in the European Union has become a key factor in reducing gas demand in the world. Over the eleven months of this year, according to the first preliminary estimates and available operational data, global demand fell by 55 billion cubic meters. Note that the reduction in gas consumption in 27 EU countries amounted to about 50 billion cubic meters in the UK – more than 6 billion cubic meters,” says the press release of Gazprom.
It adds, “According to Gas Infrastructure Europe, on November 14, gas extraction from European underground storage facilities began. As of November 29, 2.3 billion cubic meters were selected – 3.3% of the volume of gas pumped in preparation for the heating season. At the same time, the load on UGS facilities in Europe in the current autumn-winter period will be higher than in previous years, due to the changed logistics and sources of gas supply to the European market.”
“Gas is also being withdrawn from UGS facilities in Ukraine. As of November 29, the volume of gas in storage facilities is 14% (by 2.3 billion cubic meters) less than last year. Selected 0.7 billion cubic meters of gas is 12.9% of the volume of gas pumped in the summer,” concludes the press release. /// nCa, 8 December 2022