France 'no longer receiving any Russian gas via pipelines'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Jun 12:54
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France receives approximately 17% of its gas from Russia via network connections with Germany, which is heavily reliant on Russian supplies.

Vladimir Putin signs a natural gas pipeline in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok on September 8, 2011. (AFP)

France has not received any natural gas from Russia via pipeline since June 15, according to network operator GRTgaz, after Russian energy giant Gazprom announced this week that it would reduce deliveries to Europe.

The Nord Stream pipeline supply reductions, according to Gazprom, are the result of repair work.

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister revealed, on Thursday, that most of Gazprom's European clients have switched to paying for gas in rubles.

France receives approximately 17% of its gas from Russia via network connections with Germany, which is heavily reliant on Russian supplies.

Supplies had already been cut by 60% since the beginning of the year, sending prices skyrocketing.

GRTgaz, on the other hand, said there was no risk to French supplies at the moment, with reserves at 56 percent capacity, compared to 50 percent in June normally.

Since France adopted packages of sanctions against Russia, it has increased pipeline gas imports from Spain while also increasing purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered by ship.

It is worth noting that much of the LNG still comes from Russia, with France being one of the country's largest buyers, according to a report released this week by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

As the Ukraine crisis adds pressure, France has to deal with higher energy prices and inflation, the government already suffered from gas and power price increases not to mention providing financial assistance to low-income households.