Gazprom exports rise 4% in April, 6% since beginning of year
MOSCOW. April 30 (Interfax) - Gazprom exported 12.68 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas in April 2013, 4% more year-on-year, and 54.55 bcm in the first four months of the year, 5.9% more, according to statistics compiled by Interfax using data from the Central Dispatching Department of the Fuel and Energy Complex.
Exports were significantly higher in the first half of April, when wintertime levels of consumption persisted and gas was being withdrawn from underground storage. Gas exports in the first half of the month were 11% higher on average and 19% higher on individual days. But that trend reversed itself in the second half of the month, probably because additions to underground storage facilities in Europe began a month later this year and had still not reached the pace of a year earlier.
However, the storage facilities will have to receive 16 bcm more this year than last, and there is one less month to do it in. That will help to support the gas market through the summer months.
Russia produced 55.82 bcm of gas in April 2013, 0.6% less year-on-year, and 241.66 bcm in the first four months, also 0.6% less.
Gazprom alone produced 41.1 bcm of gas in April, 1.7% less year-on-year, and 177.84 bcm in the first four months, 3.5% less.
