Russian gas transit via Belarus down 27.5% in 2011
MINSK. Feb 6 (Interfax) - Russian gas transit via Belarus fell 27.5% in 2011.
Russia's Gazprom said in a press release following a board meeting that 31.3 billion cubic meters of Russian gas was transported via Belarus, a "strategically important link in Gazprom's exports to Europe." This was 21% of Gazprom's exports to Europe, the release said.
The Belarusian Energy Ministry has said transit of Russian gas fell 3.1% to 43.2 bcm in 2010.
Gas supply to Belarus for internal consumption was 20.6 bcm in 2011, Gazprom said. "It was noted at the meeting that Belarus is the second biggest market among former Soviet republics for Russian gas. Belarus received 20.6 bcm of gas in 2011 - 29% of overall sales to FSU countries," it said.
Belarus bought 21.6 bcm of gas in 2011, 22.7% more than in 2009, so gas imports from Russia fell 4.6% last year.