Italian Eni to explore options for resuming supplies from Gazprom

ROME, Oct 3 – PRIME. The Italian oil and gas company Eni is looking for opportunities to resume Russian gas supplies through Austria, RIA Novosti reported citing the company’s communiqué.

“In the next few hours, Eni intends to evaluate with the Austrian operator and Gazprom some options for unblocking supplies,” the statement said.

At the same time, the group did not disclose the available options until they were agreed by the parties.

According to the newspaper la Repubblica, the head of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, announced his willingness to pay for fuel supplies. According to him, the company is studying the possibilities to replace “either the carrier or Gazprom, which has not paid the guarantee obligations for 20 million euros.” Descalzi also noted that the suspension of supplies is due to the need to make “financial guarantees” for the passage of gas to the Austrian carrier, and not political motives.

Gazprom has suspended gas supplies through Austria since October 1 due to the refusal of the Austrian operator to confirm transport nominations and said that it is working on solving the problem together with Italian buyers.