Russia, China Discuss Western Route Gas Pipeline

Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom’s Management Committee and Huang Weihe, Vice President of PetroChina met earlier this week in Moscow to discuss Russian gas supply to China via the western route.

During the meeting it was pointed out that the main terms and conditions of supply had already been specified, for instance, a Russian-Chinese border crossing corridor for the future gas pipeline, Gazprom said in a statement Tuesday, adding that the current project negotiations show a very good dynamics.

The western route envisages gas supply to China from Western Siberia’s fields to the tune of 30 billion cubic meters a year. On May 8, 2015 Gazprom and CNPC inked the Heads of Agreement for pipeline gas supply from Russia to China via the western route.

Last month Russian media reported that implementation of western route gas deal could be delayed indefinitely.

With Chinese economy slowing, Beijing is revising its energy policy, a Russian official told told Vedomosti.

The two parties also addressed the progress with gas supply to China via the eastern route. The project operations in Russia and China are running according to the schedule, Gazprom said.

On May 21, 2014 Gazprom and CNPC signed the purchase and sale agreement for gas supply via the eastern route. The 30-year contract provides for Russian gas supplies to China in the amount of 38 billion cubic meters per year.