Gazprom manages to bypass some of the norms of the Third Energy Package

Russia and European Commission couldn’t find any mechanism to release OPAL gas line (the branch from Nord Stream) from the norms of the Third Energy Package which limit use of the pipe. Brussels was not satisfied with the compromise proposed by the RF, as it is against making such exceptions common practice, e.g. for future South Stream line. Though, the monopoly managed to find a way to maintain the load of OPAL at the level of 70% and higher.

The negotiations about softening of the norms of the Third Energy Package for the project of OPAL gas line (the branch line from Nord Stream, 36 billion cubic metres of gas per year) have resulted in nothing, though the day before the Minister of Energy Alexander Novak assured, the meeting was supposed to be crucial.