Gazprom, Russia’s energy giant, said Tuesday that it had begun testing the supply of natural gas from the Kovykta, east Siberia’s largest, to the China-bound Power of Siberia pipeline.
Gazprom began delivering gas from Chanayda to China in the latter part of 2019. Both Chanayda & Kovykta are used to feed the Power of Siberia pipeline, which has a capacity of 38.3 billion cubic metres (bcm), per annum.
Moscow needs the pipeline to redirect its energy flow from the West. The West has imposed severe sanctions on Russia after the Kremlin’s February 24 “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Gazprom announced that Kovykta will be brought onstream and that new gas transportation facilities will be available in December.
Gazprom exported to China 4.1 billion cubic meters of gas in 2020. This figure will rise to 11 billion cubic metres in 2021, and 22 billion cubic meters in 2023.
Alexander Novak, Russian Deputy Prime Minister, stated earlier this month that the Power of Siberia would reach its full capacity in 2027. This is two years later than originally planned.
