Gazprom boosts gas supplies 18% to Russian market in May because of cold weather

MOSCOW. June 1 (Interfax) - The cold weather that prevailed in May in Russia this year required Gazprom to increase gas supplies to the domestic market by almost 18%, though growth was only 6% in the first half of the month, Gazprom said in a statement.

May's average temperature in the country was 2.6 degrees Celsius below last year's average temperature according to data from the System Operator of the Unified Energy System (UES) of Russia. However, temperatures in Europe were about 5 degrees warmer than last year.

"The company's deliveries from the gas transmission system to the domestic market were at last year's level [after the first five months of 2022]. Meantime, they were 17.7% higher this May than last year. May 2022 was one of the coldest on record in the European part of Russia. Consequently, gas supplies to Russian consumers through the Unified Gas Supply System reached record daily levels 22 times against the past 10 years. Most of the records were in the second half of May. From May 3 to 5, the absolute historical daily maximum for the month was set three times," according to the statement.

Gazprom's average daily exports to non-FSU countries totaled 352 million cubic meters in May against 387 million cubic meters in April, according to the published data.

"Exports to non-FSU countries totaled 61 billion cubic meters in the first five months of 2022, a decline of 27.6% year-on-year, or 23.2 bcm less. Gazprom is supplying gas according to the confirmed bookings," the company emphasizes.

As noted, gas exports to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline have been growing under a long-term bilateral contract with the country.

Gazprom produced 36 bcm of gas in May.

"According to preliminary data, Gazprom produced 211.4 bcm of gas in January-May 2022, which was a decline of 4.8% year-on-year, or 10.6 bcm less," according to the summary.