Russia's turf wars
Even as the country's gas sector thrives, its major companies face political battles at home and abroad
The future of Russian gas in 2018, and in particular the prospects for exports to Europe, will be influenced by a number of contrasting factors that suggest a complex outlook for gas giant Gazprom. The foundation on which the company will be building is solid, as its production rebounded sharply in 2017 to reach about 470bn cubic metres (from 420bn in 2016) and exports stood at a record 185bn-190bn cm (up from the previous record of 179bn in 2016). This commercial success has been based on two factors: Gazprom's willingness to adapt its pricing strategy away from oil-linked contracts; and the surprising lack of competition from liquefied natural gas, as the expected surge in supply hasn't ye
Also in this section
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
12 March 2026
LPG could rapidly expand access to clean cooking across Africa and prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from indoor air pollution each year, but infrastructure shortages and regulatory barriers are slowing investment and market growth
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy
