Liberalization of LNG export: the expected unexpectedness

Gazprom can lose its export monopoly for LNG soon – the RF government finally approved the corresponding draft project after a long discussion on Wednesday.

The expected decision has actually become the unexpectedness – the liberalization of LNG export was not specified in the agenda as the separate issue. The government announced the discussion of a more general topic – the energy strategy of the RF up to 2030.

As told by the RF Minister of Energy, Alexander Novak, the document presupposes “the partial and gradual liberalization of LNG export”. Actually, almost all LNG projects acting in Russia can obtain the right for export.

The Ministry of Energy is not going to coordinate LNG export, though assures that LNG won’t compete with the pipeline gas of Gazprom. Analysts are sceptical about it.