Novak told to whom Russia will supply oil and gas

VIENNA, 5 Oct – PRIME. Russia is ready to supply gas via the undamaged branch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters following the OPEC+ meeting held in Vienna on Wednesday.

“Yes, of course, it is possible (delivery – ed.),” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

He, however, added that “unfortunately, due to sabotage, one line was damaged, an examination is required, and, accordingly, further decisions are made on the fate of this line. As for the second line, it is ready, built, and if the necessary legal decisions are made by European colleagues regarding its certification and removal of restrictions, I think that Russia could provide appropriate supplies through this gas pipeline in a short time.”

The attacks took place on September 26 at once on two Russian export gas pipelines to Europe – Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2. Germany, Denmark and Sweden do not rule out targeted sabotage. The Nord Stream operator Nord Stream AG reported that the state of emergency on gas pipelines is unprecedented and it is impossible to estimate the repair time.

Gazprom reported on October 3 that the pressure in the damaged Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines had stabilized, gas leaks had stopped, and gas was being pumped out of another Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to check its integrity. In turn, the Swedish Coast Guard said that day that a “smaller” leak from Nord Stream 2 was continuing and even increasing slightly.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation initiated the initiation of a case on an act of international terrorism after the damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod announced the government’s determination to refuse Russia’s participation in the investigation of the sabotage and the identification of those responsible.

Regarding oil, the Russian minister said that Russia will continue to supply it only to those consumers who will provide market pricing mechanisms.

“Such precedents will greatly harm the energy market, it will only lead to shortages, to higher prices … We believe that it is not advisable for us to provide supplies with the introduction of such an instrument to those consumers who will use price caps. We will continue to supply only to those who provide market mechanisms pricing,” he answered a question about a possible ceiling on oil prices from the Russian Federation.