Gazprom delivering more gas to Italy to compensate for shutoff in Libya
MOSCOW. Feb 25 (Interfax) - Deliveries of Russian gas to Italy rose about one-third at the beginning of the week following the complete shutoff of pipeline deliveries from Libya, according to data from Italian gas transportation operator Snam Rete Gas.
Deliveries on the TAG pipeline through Austria, which provides Italy with gas mainly from Russia, rose to 86.1 million cubic meters a day beginning on February 22, up from 63 mcm-65 mcm/day on weekdays and 54 mcm-55 mcm/day on weekends.
Simultaneously, deliveries on the Greenstream pipeline from Libya to Sicily began dropping from the typical level of 25 mcm-26 mcm/day, falling to zero on February 23.
Imports on other routes have not changed significantly.
The increase in deliveries from Russia will reduce Eni's liability for taking up too little gas under take-or-pay contracts with Gazprom Neft .
If Greenstream remains out of action for the rest of the year, the shortfall in deliveries to Italy will amount to about 8 bcm. The shortfall in Eni's take-up from Gazprom amounted to 3.3 bcm in 2009 and 8.9 bcm in 2010.
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