Disponible en CD en formato PDF

Transcripción del abstract original del autor: According to experts, the coming century will be an epoch of predominant use of natural gas as the most efficient and environmentally friendly organic fuel. Gas share in the total primary energy demand in the European countries tends to consistent growth. The European indigenous gas resources will deplete in the nearest future increasing dependence on external gas supplies. Diversifying gas supply one can secure resource availability accompanied by higher reliability of supply. Russia has abundant natural gas reserves developed connected with the unique gas transmission system installed, featured with immense operational flexibility and reliability. This implies the prerequisites for stability of gas supply to the European region in a long term. Russia’s foreign trade activity in exporting natural gas is based on long-term export agreements securing stable gas flows put to customers, and providing funds for the producers that are in dire straits when raising money for new gas resource development projects. Gas market liberalization underway in Europe tends to rearranging of the existing gas contracting system, putting at risk timely development and introduction of large-scale gas production projects and related gas transmission systems installation. Gas supply security is thus degrading. Gas market development prospects are seemingly interrelated with viable balancing of the long-term and short-term contract portfolio. Russia is commissioned to involvement in the EU’s energy supply reliability strategy in the long run, still this commitment should not be considered as unilateral.