Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline could be discussed with China at APEC summit - Russian Dep PM Novak

MOSCOW. Oct 14 (Interfax) - The issue of building the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline could be raised at talks with China in November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.

"It's always on the agenda when we discuss cooperation with our partners in the Asia-Pacific region, because gas really is a viable source of energy. It's cheap and environmentally friendly, and all experts say its share in the energy mix will only grow," he said.

Novak did not draw a link between dialogue with the U.S. on diesel fuel and the gas negotiations with China. "The oil and gas markets are different," he said.

"In general, of course the market should be supplied with both oil by the oil sector and with gas. We certainly continue to develop relations and conduct negotiations with our Chinese partners. I hope these will be wrapped up in the near future regarding the construction of another gas pipeline to China to meet its gas needs," he said.

Gazprom signed a legally binding memorandum with Chinese partners in 2025 on constructing the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline to China (the new name of which is Power of Baikal) and the Soyuz-Vostok transit gas pipeline through Mongolia with a capacity of 50 billion cubic meters per year. This project may become the largest in the global gas industry