Gazprom exports rise 30% in March, 6.7% in Q1
MOSCOW. April 1 (Interfax) - Exports of Russian gas rose 30% in March year-on-year to 14.7 billion cubic meters, according to calculations based on operative data from the Central Dispatching Department of the Fuel and Energy Complex.
Gas exports in the first quarter were up 6.7% to 41.8 bcm.
Exports rose as wintry weather continued in March, compared with an early spring last year. LNG deliveries to Europe declined 50% amid strong demand for LNG in Asia. The unseasonably cold temperatures forced a number of European countries, particularly Britain, to tap gas storage facilities.
Gas deliveries from Russia were constrained by regulatory factors. Gazprom was permitted to use only half of capacity on the northern portion of the OPAL pipeline. However, that restriction was lifted on March 19 and capacity on the pipeline has now risen to almost 80%.
Gas production in Russia declined 0.7% to 183.96 bcm in the first quarter and 2.2% to 60.73 bcm in March.
Gazprom reduced production 4% to 135.44 bcm in the quarter and 7.3% to 43.72 bcm in March.