By Vestnik Kavkaza
At the moment there is a difficult situation surrounding deliveries by Russian energy carriers abroad – negotiations on supply of gas to Ukraine have been tightened and the South Stream has become a target for political attacks by the EU. Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Energy Policy and Energy Efficiency of the RSPP, Yury Stankevich, expressed the view that the Russian gas industry has long rested on its laurels, but in the context of the current situation, now is just the moment when it is necessary to prove to the world its competitiveness.
In his opinion, the situation which formed in the gas sector was quite static: "Understanding objectively the competitive advantage in this sphere, we nevertheless forgot that these leading positions need to be defended and confirmed all the time. If earlier we said that relations in the gas sphere were dictated by the seller, as there was a firm connection to a pipeline, today with the development of technologies it is already a full-fledged market, and here nobody can dictate conditions – neither the buyer, nor the seller." In this regard, Stankevich claims that partners should agree on each point: "It is necessary to agree on both delivery routes and the price."
As for development of the energy sphere, Yury Stankevich cites the experience of the United States as an example: "recently we often hear and we speak of shale oil, shale gas. But how many efforts have been undertaken? The USA, which has now arrived at self-sufficiency from the point of view of energy resources, has consistently realized this program since 1995. Efforts were made, and finance and investments went to the most varied spheres – it is a question not only of shale oil and shale gas, but also renewables. Therefore, I think there's no great loss without some small gain, as the proverb goes. That's the situation which was created today, and Russia and "Gazprom" will push for more active actions."
The expert considers the attempt to reorient toward the markets of the Asia- Pacific region is a little overdue, but, nevertheless, correct: "If we look at data on the fuel and energy balance of the region, the largest consumers of energy resources, China and India, have a share of gas that is absolutely insignificant. According to statements by the governments of China and India, these countries plan a crucial increase in their share of gas. Therefore, in my opinion, the situation will urge on us and Russia will undertake more active efforts to defend the right to leadership in this sphere in the next years and decades."
