Putin says US trying to derail gas pipeline plan
VIENNA (AP) — The U.S. is trying to derail a project to build a gas pipeline that bypasses Ukraine to supply Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday after Russian and Austrian energy firms agreed to build the pipeline's western end.
Austria's OMV and Russia's Gazprom signed a contract for the construction of the pipeline's Austrian section hours before Putin arrived on his second trip to the West since tensions spiraled over Russia's actions in Ukraine, a crisis that has prompted calls for Europe to lessen its reliance on Russian gas.
OMV general director Gerhard Roiss said the South Stream pipeline will "ensure energy security for Europe, particularly for Austria." Austrian President Heinz Fischer, who met with Putin, noted that large sections of the pipeline will cross NATO and European Union members Bulgaria and Hungary.
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Asked about American criticism of the pipeline, which is expected to start running in late 2016, Putin said that "our American friends ... want to supply Europe with gas themselves.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/putin-says-us-trying-derail-gas-pipeline-plan-181221363.html#ZR1xd3N
VIENNA, June 24 (Reuters) - Austria gave its final approval to a controversial Russian gas pipeline project on Tuesday, defying EU officials as Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the neutral country that has been a long-standing energy customer for Moscow.
The chief executives of Russia's Gazprom and Austria's OMV sealed the deal to build a branch of the South Stream gas pipeline to Austria, a staunch defender of the project in the face of opposition from the European Commission.
South Stream, which will cost an estimated $40 billion, is designed to carry Russian gas to the centre of Europe, a continent already dependent on Russia for a third of its gas needs, on a route that bypasses current transit country Ukraine.
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Gazprom and OMV said they would share equally the 200 million euro ($272 million) costs of building the 50-km (31- mile) Austrian stretch of South Stream, which in total will be 2,446 km long.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/06/24/austria-russia-southstream-idUKL6N0P53C620140624
With Austria Deal Signed, Gazprom Wears Down EU Opposition.
Russian state-run energy giant Gazprom finalized a deal on Tuesday to build the Austrian branch of its massive South Stream gas pipeline to Europe, bypassing troubled Ukraine while gradually building leverage which analysts say could push the project through to completion.
The deal was signed between the executives of Gazprom and Austrian oil and gas group OMV during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Austria on Tuesday.
"This decision is an investment in the security of the gas supply for Europe," OMV CEO Gerhard Roiss said after the signing, Reuters reported.
Also on Tuesday, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said that he is holding "constructive" talks with the European Commission about winning European Union approval for the pipeline.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/with-austria-deal-signed-gazprom-wears-down-eu-opposition/502481.html
In associated news :
Miller: If Ukraine siphoning off gas, Gazprom to increase shipments via Nord Stream, Yamal-Europe.
If Ukraine is siphoning off gas, Gazprom will increase shipments via Nord Stream and the Yamal-Europe gas pipelines, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said at a press conference on June 24.
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/miller-if-ukraine-siphoning-off-gas-gazprom-to-increase-shipments-via-nord-stream-yamal-europe-353179.html
Moldova to begin imports of Romanian gas via Iasi-Ungheni pipeline on Aug 27
Moldova will begin gas imports from Romania via the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline on August 27, which will initially allow the republic to cover 5 -10 percent of its yearly gas needs.
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/moldova-to-begin-imports-of-romanian-gas-via-iasi-ungheni-pipeline-on-aug-27-353155.html
