Monday

4th Dec 2023

Russia lobbies EU for special treatment on pipeline

  • The final South Stream route is still unclear (Photo: GPlus)

Russian energy officials are lobbying the EU to grant the Gazprom-led South Stream exemptions from EU competition and gas market rules. Energy commissioner Gunther Oettinger says the rival, EU-backed Nabucco project remains a priority, but has indicated that some concessions are possible.

In an afternoon-long PR event at a Brussels hotel on Wednesday (25 May), the CEO of Gazprom, Alexei Miller, Russian energy minister Sergei Shmatko and the head of the South Stream project, Marcel Kramer made the case for the EU to throw its weight behind the pipeline, set to run through the Black Sea and to offer an alternative route to the Ukrainian gas network.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

The final route, pending investment deicisons in 2012 and questions over Bulgaria's commitment, could still change. But in theory, the pipe is to go on the southern seabed of the Black Sea, then on land either through Romania or Bulgaria to Serbia and then branch off to Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia.

Despite claims that the €15.5 billion project is "purely commercial" and has no need for state subsidies, the line between government politics and gas selling interests is blurred, with Moscow seeking an "EU-Russia regulatory framework which encourages this investment," as Kramer put it.

Kramer explained that new rules for energy companies on the EU market - forcing the separation of production and transport assets - should be "softened" when it comes to strategic-level enterprises.

Energy minister Shmatko even alluded to potential gas disruptions if Gazprom and its associated EU companies are "deterred from initiating" the project or "face restrictions over the returns they can expect on their investments."

Speaking at the same event, EU energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger said the EU remains committed to the "southern corridor" - several gas pipeline projects including Nabucco which would grant the EU direct access to Caspian gas reserves.

If South Stream is built, Caspian gas would be bought up by Gazprom and shipped via Russia through the Black Sea pipeline, undermining the rationale of the Southern Corridor. It would also have an impact on Ukraine's economy and politics, as the country would see less gas transiting from Russia to Europe.

"We support some projects more than others, that is clear. In this regard, I reaffirm again what I have said many times before: the EU wants direct contacts with Caspian producers through new supply routes and pipelines," Oettinger said.

On South Stream, he said that "it is not our top priority" and pledged not to impose any "unreasonable" regulatory requirements. "We will act as fair partners," he pledged.

On the other hand, the German commissioner indicated that if "gas independents active in Russia" were allowed to have access to South Stream, then the project would "deliver on two essential criteria: namely diversification of routes and counterparties."

"That means a stronger contribution to European diversification efforts," Oettinger suggested.

As for EU internal market rules, he did not encourage any hopes that there will be exemptions for the project. When on EU territory, be it Bulgaria or Romania, South Stream would "normally have to allow all shippers to book, within the EU, capacity on the pipeline at non-discriminatory conditions", he said.

Also, tariffs charged to shippers will "normally be subject to regulation by the national regulators in the countries concerned." And thirdly, the Russian-owned pipeline would have to allow for reverse flows in case of disruptions.

"I understand that certain EU member states entered into bilateral agreements with the Russian Federation which may partially contradict these principles," Oettinger added. In case this turns out to be true, member states will still have to apply EU market rules and change the respective agreements so as to reflect that," he warned.

Analysis

What are the big money debates at COP28 UN climate summit?

The most critical UN climate conference (COP28) ever will run from Thursday to mid-December — with talks on climate commitments and climate finance expected to determine the success of this year's summit.

Analysis

What are the big money debates at COP28 UN climate summit?

The most critical UN climate conference (COP28) ever will run from Thursday to mid-December — with talks on climate commitments and climate finance expected to determine the success of this year's summit.

Latest News

  1. COP28 warned over-relying on carbon capture costs €27 trillion
  2. Optimising Alzheimer's disease health care pathways across Europe
  3. Georgian far-right leader laughs off potential EU sanctions
  4. The EU's U-turn on caged farm animals — explained
  5. EU-China summit and migration files in focus This WEEK
  6. COP28 debates climate finance amid inflated accounting 'mess'
  7. Why EU's €18m for Israel undermines peace
  8. Israel's EU ambassador: 'No clean way to do this operation'

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  3. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  4. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?
  5. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  6. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. European Citizen's InitiativeThe European Commission launches the ‘ImagineEU’ competition for secondary school students in the EU.
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
  3. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  4. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch
  6. Nordic Council of Ministers20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us