Russia, EU to continue negotiations on OPAL gas pipeline July 22
MOSCOW. June 25 (Interfax) - Russia-EU negotiations on loading OPAL, the dry-land spur of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, completed another round on Monday and will continue in Brussels on July 22, the Russian Energy Ministry reported.
Specialists from Russian gas giant Gazprom presented analytical materials at the meeting on Monday, which explore the possibility of delivering extra gas to the Czech market.
"The draft was considered and positively reviewed both by the European regulator and representatives of the European Commission. At the same time, the European party noted the need to further flesh out the document. Further questions on the presented materials will be given to Gazprom by June 28. In parallel, negotiations will continue with the German regulator," the ministry said in a statement.
The EC requested that Gazprom's use of OPAL be limited to 50% of the pipeline's capacity and that the rest be reserved for third parties. However, OPAL cannot have other users because it is fed from Nord Stream, which comes from Russia.