Politics is one of the crucial issue in the EU - Russia relations that led to the suspension of the South Stream project! What is your opinion? 

http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20141202/1015415445.html

http://sputniknews.com/business/20141202/1015406863.html

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-02/pipeline-politics-just-got-thornier-in-europe-and-russia

Politics is one of the crucial issue in the EU - Russia relations that led to the suspension of the South Stream project! What is your opinion? 

http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20141202/1015415445.html

http://sputniknews.com/business/20141202/1015406863.html

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-02/pipeline-politics-just-got-thornier-in-europe-and-russia

I think in order to talk about learning we should let the emotions to calm down and let the consequences to develop. It may sound a bit harsh, but true learning is based on facts and results but not speculations or predictions. Based on reactions from countries who would benefit from this pipeline (Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary) the expectations are not so bright. Let's see how events will develop...

Europe is not a country.   They do not speak the same language.  It does not have one government and one leader.  Rather it is a collection of countries that decided to pool the resources and share some laws.  That is why there is and will be a conflict of interest and disagreements.  Besides, if Europe do not have access to gas from within, then it has to face the reality of shortages of gas and face the fact that new form of energy (dependence) has to be developed.  It will be unfair to compare Canada to Europe (because of population density and geography) .  So I would say that Canada's solutions are not valid for Europe.  However, some European countries have some unique solutions to gas problem that other European countries failed to adapt and deal  with it.  I suggest that those who failed look for those solutions and pick the best.  The answer lies within.

In the modern world, energy self-sufficiency is closely linked with the political and economic sovereignty of individual countries. This tie is still firmer in Europe, since it abuts with the largest natural gas provider – "the Russian Federation", which has identified natural gas and petroleum petroleum as an instrument of strengthening its worldwide influence in its official political strategy.

http://issuu.com/gazprombluefuel/docs/blue_fuel_newsletter_november_2014/5?e=4520186/10083663

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30289412

http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/ukraine-russia-gas-arbitration

http://www.eurodialogue.eu/Gas%20problems%20for%20the%20EU%20and%20their%20some%20solutions

Would the new Ukrainian power not have tried to forbid east provinces to speak Russian when it is their native language, problems would not have started...

Now Europeans have got to get ready to face cold winters without gas supply for their heating systems, sooner or later... That will let them think to who's helpful and not in that matter.

The 4 lessons provided on the link are legitimate and right.  Failures are costly.  One more simple lesson is that, at best our wisdom is limited.  The things that we place our hopes upon may not fulfill our expectations.  As the proverb says, 'there's many a slip between the cup and the lip'.

http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/lessons-on-eu-energy-security

I think that LNG alternative is a suitable and viable solution, since it doesn't need any giant pipelines to be constructed. The story of the pipeline-competition could then be at its end .

 The lesson we may or we should learn is that they should be more wisdom, and all countries should diversify all resources of supply and demand.  

Later, Gazprom chief Alexei Miller said that the gas giant will channel the gas pipeline away from Bulgaria to Turkey. According to him, the pipeline will carry 63 billion cubic meters of gas a year, 14 billion of which are intended for Turkey itself, and the rest of which will go to the Turkish-Greek border, with the EU as the final destination.

Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines.

http://rbth.co.uk/business/2014/12/02/questions_appear_as_russia_drops_controversial_south_stream_pipeline_41907.html

I agree, LNG is alternative solution. However we should find new, ecological sources of energy.

Learning from Russian Experience

It’s not the first attempt of Russian gas dependent countries to diversify supplies by means of LNG construction. At the end of 2014 or at the beginning of 2015 Poland is due to launch LNG terminal in Swinoujscie. Its capacity will be at the level of 5 bln. cubic meters annually, and could be increased up to 7,5 billion. The gas is due to be supplied from Qatar. Poland totally consumes nearly 18 bln. cubic meters of natural gas, meanwhile importing 12 bn. cubic meter

http://eurasianintelligence.org/news.php?new=59&num

In my humble opinion, a mixture of balanced (political + scientific + economical) decision ought to be sought. The suppliers of  natural gas know very well that there is a viable alternative to it. SNG "substitute or synthetic natural gas" could be easily made from coal, oil shale, and biofuels & it contains methane "the basic component of fossil N.G". Some return to using Synthesis Gas "mixture of CO & H2 " can also offer a good alternative. You may be surprised to know that "LAZINESS" is an additional reason behind not putting a good effort to develop sound & reasonable energy alternatives.  

Bulgaria Says South Stream Pipeline Construction Inevitable as a consequence of great power dispute. We will see who is going to prevail. nothing else we can do.

I would say the main lesson is that we need to become self-sufficient in energy production. Bio-gas, capturing somehow CO2, using solar, wind, geothermal energy, all are there. Also consumption could be greatly reduced by re-thinking construction technology. If we could make our cars and houses independent from fossil fuel, it would be a great step forward. And technologies are to some extent already there.

That is right dear @Kamal. "Energy diversification refers to a nation using multiple sources of energy to run its economy and public services, eliminating dependence on any one source of energy. Such diversification can mean both renewable and non-renewable energy sources as well as multiple carriers, though the terminology increasingly leans more toward investment in renewable energy. Objectively, energy diversification is a strategy deployed to bolster both economic and physical security..."

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-energy-diversification.htm

http://www.powershow.com/view/1767a0-N2I2M/Energy_Source_Diversification_powerpoint_ppt_presentation

As I wrote before: Construction of LNG terminals in different countries within the EU and diversification of sources of supply is geopolitical imperative and good alternative to reduce the EU dependency from the gas supply from Russia.  

Keep in your mind:

“Energy is a potent weapon and a cut off gas or oil supplies in mid-winter could have as devastating an impact on a country's economy as a military attack. ''  Former US Senator Richard Lugar

I think that my country (Bulgaria) lose a lot. In a completely frozen economy, as well as half-built nuclear power station and its abandonment, to give up such an energy project is an amazing paradox! But I do not think that Russia will stop the project. Already a lot of money invested there. The pipeline will pass, but not through my country. Smarts will benefit from the situation immediately! Moreover, if they are not pressed by the EU. Furthermore, I do not see Italy to refuse, at least I have not heard, and the pipe will get there.

Such political decisions further complicate the economic situation.

That is right dear @Valentina. Same problems with Serbia! I am surprised with this news! "The leaders of Bulgaria and the European Commission made a vocal bid Thursday for the continued construction of a pipeline transporting Russian gas to south-eastern Europe, despite an announcement by Moscow that the project had been dropped."

http://online.wsj.com/articles/south-stream-pipeline-issues-not-insurmountable-says-juncker-1417699144

Dear @Ljubomir,

As far as I understand, Romania seems to be in a better position than Serbia and Bulgaria. We exploit our gas resources and new ones have been discovered in the Black Sea within our water borders (but I don't know what part of the latter resource still belongs to us ...).

On the other hand, I agree with Prof Bani-Hani who wrote that it's always better to count on more suppliers. So, finally it's also better for Romania with South Stream pipeline than without it  - although it seems to me that it's not so vital as it is for Serbia, Bulgaria and other countries of southern Europe. I'm not enough knowledgeable of this subject, but, anyway, the huge part of policy&politics in it - in contrast with free commercial exchange - disturbs and worries me very much.

Dear @Ruxandra, it is very true :" huge part of policy&politics in it - in contrast with free commercial exchange - disturbs and worries "! 

I do not know if there is any strategic question or problem where politics is not involved!? Look the attached article about gas prices and impact to American politics!

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/fueling-perception-how-falling-gas-prices-could-shake-american-politics-n260611

Dear Ljubomir, the South Stream in my opinion is the Russia response from the  EU project and using the political method, they impose there project. The European project want to collect gases from all the area of East Black See, not only from Russia,  and transport them from Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia to Trieste. That project was a little politically more correct because not only the Russian gas was transported, by Iranian, Azerbaijan  and the new developed gas in Turkey and Syrian Mediterranean water. Is possible that the instability from Syria and the try to destabilization of Turkey to be generate by the huge interest in that gas  that was only find. Who know that ?

Dear Ljubomir,

It is a very serious problem. Pipelines South Stream and Nord Stream will allow to bypass the transit countries from Central Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia) and Eastern Europe (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania), which is probably the main reason for their construction. According to experts, the Centre for Eastern Studies economic benefits associated with the construction of the pipeline are questionable [2].

August 19, 2014, Bulgaria announced the suspension of activities related to the construction of the South Stream pipeline, due to concerns of the European Commission. In my opinion, Russia is a big player in the political game. Sometimes some countries seem to forgot about it. It is a typical situation without an ideal solution. Diversification is quite expensive, but it gives safety. Some countries can not afford to safety, because it is to expensive for their economy. I mean for example about Poland.

Best Regards WS

BP's "Statistical Review of World Energy" published in mid 2013 says that the world has in reserves 861 billion tonnes of coal, 187 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, and 1669 billion barrels of crude oil. These numbers seems to be huge at a glance, but taking into account today's level of extraction proved reserves of coal will be exhausted in 109 years . The last cubic meter of natural gas will be extracted in 2068. And by 2065 there will be no reserves of crude oil.

[http://knoema.com/smsfgud/world-reserves-of-fossil-fuels]

Over-reliance on any one strategy is like putting all eggs in one basket and is dangerous. All possible energy sources must be tapped and in no case any planning should go without a second line of defense. An alternate must be duly in place before discontinuance of an existing system, whether deliberate or due to any unexpected break down. 

Fossil fuels anyway are going to exhaust soon [many in the present generation may witness that in their own lifetime] and alternate strategies have to be/ are being explored. 

The EU claims that phasing-out gas would be a cheap and quick way to achieve lower CO2 emissions. However, phasing-out natural gas is coupled with phasing-out oil and there still remains no effective policy in place to phase-out oil and gas – not in the Member States and not at the EU level. Current investments in additional gas infrastructure cannot be combined with a climate policy focused on the phasing out of fossil fuels. Thus not everyone is convinced that gas should be treated as a transition fuel. Partly this is so, because spending billions for projects to build new gas infrastructure that would be abandoned in a relatively short period of time is seen as a waste of public money.

http://rosalux-europa.info/userfiles/file/Natural-gas-lock-in.pdf

I think that natural resources should be available for all regarding of any political issues that arise. All do benefit from natural resources, importing and exporting countries. 

Energy supply is a global challenge. If gas supply is stopped forcing countries to use other more polluting energy sources, those that cut the gas supply will sooner or later be confronted with the consequences of the more polluting energy sources used in other countries. Pollution and its consequences does not stop at politically defined country borders, does it?

Prominent Germans urge West to stop sabre rattling toward Russia! I think it is not only about Ukraine but West Balkan countries....! Yes everything is related to politics!

Merkel condemns Russia 'interfering' in Eastern Europe! 

http://rt.com/news/212107-germany-russia-relations-peace/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30366947

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/574485/20141201/russia-germany-western-media.htm#.VIQ14dLF9U8

Dear Ljubomir,

First of all, you raised very interesting discussion with your question. Congratulations to you (once more). Briefly, in two points.

I. In the first link you gave us we can read "Russia has been a respected European power since the Congress of Vienna in 1814, while trying to confront Moscow has not been advisable. All attempts to forcefully change this status have failed "bloodily"." Such a refference is highly inapropriate (if not dangerous), esp. in the case of smaller nations in this part of Europe. The main goal of Vienna congress was to resize the main powers so they could balance each other. The effects, as historians empasize were highly  destabilizing and predatory. So, from the point of view of the CEE country, thank you very much - we do not want another Vienna congress or Jalta to be repeated. The dialogue with Russia is of course more than needed, but is there a chance for a real dialogue when somebody speaks only a language of confrontation? I am not talking about European part of the dialogue as you can imagine.  

II. I am really sorry that the demise of South Stream made economic loses (in terms of loosing opportunities) for two important European countries. We had similar feelings in Poland when the decision on building North Stream was taken. On the other hand, it is a big chance for the EU gas market in terms of speeding up liberalization, transparency, diversification and security of supply. The decision is crucial for the development of the EU gas market as such. Please let me cite Judy Dempsey:   "For one thing, the demise of South Stream could speed up the diversification of Europe’s energy sources. It could also encourage transparency in the energy sector. And it could bring into line those EU countries that have yet to ratify the EU’s third energy package, which is designed to introduce competition into Europe’s energy market." Link attached.

Regards to all of you,

Mariusz 

http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=57386

M. Thatcher told about foundation for "violent rationality of wars for democracy". Almost all the world is a "potential aggressor", threatening to modern democracy of the USA. Neo- Trotskyites, neo- liberals, neo- conservatives organized bombardments in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1995), war in Iraq (1998), Yugoslavia (1999), Afghanistan (2001), Libya (2011)... hot spot is Ukraine.Splitting of the USSR is defeat and humiliation of Russia. But the former countries are incompatible now- every country has its own oligarchy. Oligarchy with "human face" is a ridiculous phenomenon.What is legitimate democracy? -it's a state structure which suits to the USA. To Dostoyevsky, "War means -a devil is fighting with God, and the battlefield is human hearts". This is the 4-th financial war. As a result, ordinary people are suffering- starve and survive (recession, default), feel cold (games with tubes), perish (war). Not long ago our Presidents and we enjoyed peace, ordinary people traveled,communicated in the conferences, shared cultures. New turn to cold war is absolutely inexpedient. Every conflicts and confrontations could do global catastrophe. Violence is a dangerous means of political fight. Violence (economical or political) as a final argument of elite for conservation of its power. Nobody can forgive bombing, killing, genocide, impoverishment, nobody can make ordinary people knee. Problems must be solved with diplomatic methods but not by violence and superiority.Experiencing the second cold war I agree with Aldous Huxley, "Our world is only the hell of some other planet".        

Business agreements should be executed.

Violation of this rule causes consequences, which we are here discussing.

Dear Ljubomir,

This is a very difficult and tricky question for the political, economic, cultural and ideological connotations it has. It's challenging.

I agree with Mariusz, very especially on point 2. Central Europe has been for the last 2 centuries a buffer zone between two imperialistic powers: Germany and Russia. He is right to remind us this historical and political fact. I would add that the dialogue between Russia and the EU is not only necessary, but imperative; a dialogue of equals in every sense of the word.

The geopolitical global context became extremely unstable and uncertain since the invasion and occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in February 2014 and by the military and financial support provided to the Eastern Ukrainian separatists since April 2014. The downing of the Malaysian commercial flight added fuel to this fire, as it was not an accident. As expected, economic and financial sanctions by the EU and USA to the Russian Federation escalated as the conflict turned more violent.

I have no knowledge of the EU Third Energy Package, but the South Stream pipe line would have had no chances of realization in Argentina or the USA, because of antitrust or anti monopoly legislation. A sole firm cannot own the production, the transportation and the distribution of gas or energy. In Argentina the State gas company (Gas del Estado) was divided and privatized in the early 90s, consisting now of 8 regional distribution firms and two main transportation firms (TGS , TGN). Production firms are all private, being YPF majority owned (51%) by the State.

The Russian Federation provides 18% of the gas consumed in the EU, only second to Norway with 24%. The CR4 for this market is 53%, which shows an important degree of concentration. To avoid any suspicion, the pipe line could have been franchised to private firms on a competitive basis. There are economic remedies for markets' concentration.

Gazprom cancelled the South Stream project of US $ 54 Billions, despite its investment of US $ 9.4 Billions so far. This represents a major loss for this firm, since this is a sunk cost, with a low probability of being recuperated. It has to repay  US $ 9 Billion dollars of debt this year, having been affected by sanctions from the USA. Russian firms as a whole, excluding banks, have about $52 billion of loans and bonds maturing over the next six months, according to Russian central bank data. Many of these firms face economic and financial sanctions by the EU and the USA.

I don't know how much the Leviathan Gas Field, off Israel's coast has influenced the decision to cancel the South Stream. Today the Israeli Minister of Energy announced that he held conversations with the ministers of energy of Mediterranean European countries to build a gas pipe line to Cyprus and to transport gas to Greece and Italy. I don't know if this field or pipeline are even feasible.

Shale gas is playing an important role in the decrease of NG prices. The most important fields have been found in the USA, Argentina and China, although it's difficult to tell at what price these fields will be profitable. YPF of Argentina has signed a secret agreement (approved by bills of the National Congress and the Provincial Congress of Neuquen) with Chevron to partner in the exploitation of "Vaca Muerta", the second World's shale gas field. "Helmerich & Payne disclosed on March 5, 2014, that it had contracted with YPF to deploy 10 drill rigs under five-year contracts from the United States to Argentina between the third quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015 to work in the Vaca Muerta play in addition to the nine rigs Helmerich & Payne already had in the country" (The Economist)

The NG network in Argentina reaches almost 60% of its population, with the biggest expansion during the 90s, due to privatizations and investments of new firms operating the business. During the last ten years, inconsistent government policies for the industry caused the loss of energy self sufficiency in 2010. Nowadays it imports LNG from Qatar and NG from Bolivia. Approximately 25% of cars use NG instead of gasoline or gas oil.

I don't know of any specific diversification strategy for this industry in Argentina, although I know excessive expectations are placed on the gas fields of Vaca Muerta. May be there's no worry in political authorities and ruling class, because it's an energy rich territory.

I cannot have an educated opinion of what should be the EU strategy to diversify its gas supply. I can only say that concentrated energy markets and industries are not beneficial for consumers. Vertical integration of this industry has historically been deterred, although a Nobel laureate such as Oliver Williamson states that market power is over estimated in cases of VI. He says that competitiveness due to economies of scale and scope are achieved through vertical integration.

The world has changed since February 2014 and will continue changing for the next years. We are going to witness economic and geopolitical realignments and many changes. Alliances that might have been considered inconceivable only one year ago will take place, and I'm thinking in the Middle East and Asia.

My regards to all,

Turkey is littered with abandoned dreams of pipelines through a "Southern Gas Corridor" that would connect eastern Europe with the Caspian region and the Middle East.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0914/Can-anyone-break-Russia-s-hold-on-Europe-s-gas

Dear Alejandro, in this article by Paul R.Pillar some facts are interpreted.May be, it will be interesting. http://mycatbirdseat.com/2014/12/the-risk-of-misreading-russias-intent/ 

Dear Irina,

Thank you very much for the article. I read it and find it extremely interesting and informative. As I said in the introduction of my answer, this is a very complex situation, with many ramifications and connotations.

Nietszche once said that there were no facts, only interpretations. I believe that there are facts, and then there are different interpretations, according to the analyst's education, values, personal history, historical context; among others.

The question posted by Ljubomir was economic in essence, and there are clear policy answers regarding diversification, market concentration, efficiency, and energy security. But, all human activities happen in a context: institutional, environmental, social, political, historical, cultural. And this was the complex and tricky part of the question.

There are facts: a massive and long manifestation in KYIV in Maidan Sq., 100 people killed, Yanukovych's fleeing to Russian Federation, an anti trust legislation in the EU, an invasion and occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, a military conflict in Donbas, the downing of a commercial flight with 298 innocent victims, financial, economic and civil sanctions by the USA and the EU to Russian firms and citizens, the cancellation of the South Stream Pipeline; among others.

Then we have the interpretations of the previous facts by different analysts.

I don't know which were the motives for the cancellation of the South Stream pipeline. I guess there are many. If they were just financial or economic, as I said in my posts there are different options to resolve the issue, e.g. franchising the ownership and transportation of the pipe to different firms or countries to separate production from transportation and distribution.

I read many interesting answers to the question, most of them were interpretations and explanations of the facts. I tried to follow it, sticking to the facts.

I'm very sorry for all what is going on in Ukraine and for the cancellation of the pipeline, because it meant jobs, investments, trade and benefits for consumers.

I would only like to make one final comment: the downing of the Malaysian airplane was a MASSACRE, it was not an accident. Someone provided the BUK surface to air missile system, someone aimed the system and pulled the trigger. Whoever is responsible should be investigated by Ukrainian or International courts and taken to trial.

In my understanding the world has changed since February 2014 and will continue  changing. I only wish that world leaders work together to avoid further loss of lives.

Regards to all,

PS: I'm enclosing the link to a lecture by Prof. Snyder from Yale University a specialist in European History regarding the situation in Ukraine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKFObB6_naw

To optimize the business structure, continue promoting the construction of key domestic oil and gas production areas, try to gain economies of scale in reserves and to achieve efficient production, accelerate the development of natural gas operations as they are strategic, growing and value-added, and we must work hard to increase the overall value of natural gas operations. We should consolidate and expand major areas of overseas oil and gas cooperation, complete the major oil and gas channels, build oil and gas international operations centers, and keep improving the capabilities of international operations. Refining operations and marketing networks should be adjusted and optimized to speed up closing the gap between us and the world’s advanced level companies and enhance our value.

Major pipeline transportation service provider is mainly responsible for transpor tation and marketing of natural gas, and storage and transportation of crude oil and oil products.

• Improve service quality at service stations.
• Increase the supply of clean fuel - natural gas

Global natural gas demand, as forecasted by authoritative agencies, will reach 5.1 trillion cubic meters by 2035. By that time, natural gas will have become the world’s largest energy source, exceeding both coal and oil. In the past 20 years, natural gas has become increasingly important, with annual consumption. growth averaging 4.2%, or twice as fast as that 0f oil during the same period. In 2012, global gas consumption reached 3.31 trillion cubic meters, and global gas production approached 3.4 trillion cubic meters, with a rapid development speed

which is second only to coal. From a global perspective, the reserve-production ratio of gas is significantly higher than that of oil. Therefore, the growth potential of natural gas is very high.

It requires conducting all-round operational safety inspections through our senior inspection team, following the general requirements of “full coverage, zero  tolerance, strict enforcement, and pragmatic approach”. This is the largest operational safety inspection campaign in recent years, with the longest duration and the most extensive coverage. The inspection covers all of PetroChina’s enterprises and institutes, as well as all of its production and operation segments,

in an effort to identify and solve problems in the frontline and worksites. All the problems identified have been addressed within the time limit by those in charge of them, further enhancing the general safety guarantee level. During the inspection, we mainly focused on inspections at petrochemical companies, oil depots, loading docks and national oil repository, as well as special safety inspection for offshore oil operations. We revised and improved the Specification for Hot Work Safety Management and the Specification for Confined Space Entry Safety Management

http://www.petrochina.com.cn/enpetrochina/wzqt/201404/b129d0719af8400282a7843cea9bcd87/files/693e0fb236544340b73d4f0fd1ab6a57.pdf

What do you think about this Putin Plan B to Ship Gas Through Turkey Seen as Unrealistic!!!

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-09/putin-plan-to-ship-gas-to-europe-via-turkey-seen-as-unrealistic.html

Is Trans Adriatic Pipeline TAP reality, and when this large investment may be in function? How about TANAP? Will interstate connections become a reality soon, as suggested to Serbia by EU (to Bulgaria)!?

http://www.tap-ag.com/the-pipeline

http://www.tanap.com/en/what-is-tanap

Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) + Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)+ Trans Anatolian Pipeline(TANAP)+ South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP)

In my opinion, Ionian Adriatic Pipeline Project (this pipeline connection of the new Croatian transmission system with Trans Adriatic Pipeline) represents a good  basis of "gas ring" the South East European and creates a good precondition for developing  gas distribution network in a important part of the gravitating region.

Dear @Darko, thanks for fine and very informative answer. Let me know if Croatian resources on KRK island would play some role in this large scale project!

Of course, we can not avoid politics. And, this is about politics! Does the EU want to bring Russia and Turkey into the Western Balkans?

http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/does-eu-want-bring-russia-and-turkey-western-balkans-310780

Merkel wants to come back South Stream and call Russians as true partners.http://deutsche-wirtschafts-nachrichten.de/2014/12/15/merkel-knickt-ein-und-will-mit-russland-ueber-south-stream-verhandeln/

Dear @Irina, it seems they will be back to pray for! Merkel calls for continuing energy dialogue with Russia! :)

http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2014/12/16/357403/germany-backs-bulgaria-in-resolving-situation-concerning-south-stream-roundup.html

http://itar-tass.com/en/economy/767074

Dear Ljubomir, may God bless Angela Merkel.My favorite photo.

The development and implementation of a pipeline abandonment plan that will both minimize impacts to the environment and land use and be cost-effective requires many activities similar in scope to the planning or installation of a new pipeline. For any large-scale abandonment project, it is unlikely that any one abandonment technique will be employed. Rather, a project will usually involve a combination of pipe removal and abandonment-in-place along the length of the pipeline. A key factor influencing the choice between the two options is present and future land use.

the key features of a proper abandonment plan are

(i) that it be tailored to the specifics of the project,

(ii) that an early and open opportunity be provided for public and landowner input, and

(iii) that it comply with current regulatory requirements. It is also necessary that the plan be broad in scope and encompass post-abandonment responsibilities in the form of right-of-way monitoring and remediation of problems associated with the abandonment.

https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/prtcptn/pplnbndnmnt/mg/bndnmntpln-eng.gif

Dear @Irina, do not tell me that the depreciation of the ruble has nothing to do with gas!!!

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304856504579338583232958714

Dear Ljubomir, it's nightmare- 1 dollar and euro is from 80-100 rubles.Russia's plummeting ruble is upturning the nation's broader economy and threatening instability in a major world economy.Besides, political situation is unpredictable.http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/12/16/5-reasons-you-should-care-about-russias-falling-ruble/  

President Putin blames ‘external factors’ for Russia’s economic problems and describes sanctions as illegitimate!But he played down the severity of the economic crisis, saying that it would last a maximum of two years before a return of growth.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2014/dec/18/vladimir-putin-press-conference-rouble-oil-live

http://rt.com/news/215419-putin-annual-press-conference/

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/world/europe/vladimir-putin-annual-press-conference.html?_r=0

Dear Ljubomir,

according to you, how the situation in Ukraine (in geopolitical terms) allowed for final completion of the 10 annual negotiations on the construction of the gas pipeline between Russia and China ?

Dear @Darko, Russian shift to Asia, speaking in terms of China pipeline, is obvious!"A prime example which shows how Russia’s long-term plans have been accelerated by the Ukraine crisis is the May 2014 contract to sell East Siberian gas to China. Russia’s Eastern Gas Programme has been in place since 2007, and an expansion of gas exports to Asia was a core plank of the Russian energy strategy published in 2009, but Gazprom and CNPC had spent a decade haggling over price, volumes, and exact sources of supply. However, the catalyst of the Ukraine crisis provided the impetus for President Putin to insist on Gazprom reaching a deal during his visit to Beijing in May 2014, and tax incentives were provided to the company in the form of a mineral

extraction tax (MET) royalty exemption in order to ease the price negotiations. As a result, Gazprom will construct a new pipeline (Power of Siberia) to deliver 38 bcm/year from fields in Irkutsk and Yakutia at a price of around $11/mmbtu at the Russia/China border,helping to make Russian gas very competitive in the Asian market. As such, political necessity and fiscal support finally allowed a logical commercial agreement to be reached." More readings follow!

http://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/NG-92.pdf

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News/2014/November/9%20n/Chinese,%20Russian%20presidents%20Vow%20to%20Enhance%20Energy%20Cooperation,%20Sign%20Agreement%20About%20Gas%20Supplies,%20Ahead%20of%20APEC%20Summit,%20November%209,%202014.htm

Thank you for a very constructive response and unselfish sharing of his knowledge and information ...

Putin's conference http://www.france24.com/en/20141218-russia-putin-address-nation-ruble-economic-crisis-isolation/

Dear @Darko and friends, Politics is miracle! Serbia to get gas from US via KRK terminal! Do you remember that I have asked You for Krk terminal? Serbian experts say that it is unrealistic for Serbia to get gas from US or Azerbaijan because first version is too expensive and second does not offer enough gas.

http://inserbia.info/today/2015/02/bye-bye-russia-vucic-nuland-on-possibility-of-us-gas-supply-to-serbia/

http://www.energyworldmag.com/11/02/2015/serbia-us-offer-unrealistic/

The possibility of building LNG terminal Krk, today is again topical after the project was declared a common interest of the EU (PCI - Project Common Interest). Probability to major infrastructure projects such as the LNG terminal Krk or international connecting pipeline IAP (TAP) in today's time horizon is hard to predict, especially in situations when and if the construction of such facilities planned to be financed by private investors with a minimum share of national or international funding.

EU Keen to Help Serbia Secure Gas Supply : "After Serbia’s Foreign Minister accused the EU of bypassing Serbia in its plans to construct a new gas pipeline, the head of the EU delegation said Brussels wanted to help Serbia secure its gas supply..."

http://voiceofserbia.org/content/dacic-eu-offered-russia-build-gas-pipeline-bypassing-serbia

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/eu-keen-to-help-serbia-secure-gas-supply

Serbia, Bulgaria to Work on Gas Interconnection

http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/serbia-bulgaria-to-work-on-gas-interconnection-2424

"Serbia and Bulgaria have signed an agreement on the construction of a gas interconnection, and the Serbian Government hopes the European Union will help with the construction of this pipeline which is important for increasing the region’s energy security.The agreement on the construction of the gas interconnection, which should connect the Serbian city of Niš and the Bulgarian town of Dimitrovgrad, was signed earlier this month in Belgrade. After signing the agreement, officials from the two countries said that they were expecting the gas pipeline to be built by 2018 and for gas to start flowing through it in 2019."

Dear @Darko, welcome back. Hope that you have had fine holiday.

Hungary to integrate gas market with neighbors!

Hungary and 14 other European Union and Energy Community countries in the Central Eastern Europe and South East European regions signed a memorandum of understanding in Dubrovnik on Friday on joint efforts to build up gas infrastructure links and resolve technical and regulatory issues in order to create an integrated energy market in the region, state news agency MTI reported.

The EC noted that an action plan annexed to the MoU identified projects such as the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), LNG terminal in Croatia and evacuation system, system reinforcement in Bulgaria and Romania, interconnectors between Greece and Bulgaria and between Serbia and Bulgaria as top priorities.

http://www.portfolio.hu/en/energy/hungary_to_integrate_gas_market_with_neighbors.29908.html

Slovenia may be part of Turkish Stream gas project

http://www.rt.com/business/310881-russia-slovenia-turkish-stream/

"Slovenia may participate in the Turkish Stream gas pipeline after a level of certainty in the project is reached, said Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Monday after talks with his Slovenian counterpart Miro Cerar.

"We're not standing still. We believe that Slovenia, which has always taken a constructive position on this matter, may be involved in other projects, including the Turkish Stream project, at a time when the final agreement on its implementation is reached,” Medvedev said..."

Slovenia's Prime Minister Miro Cerar said that after the parameters of Turkish Stream are defined his country will assess the need for Russian gas transit through its territory.

Gulf of Piran will not make any problem in terms of gas cooperation! Am I right?

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/croatia-slovenia-tensions-rise-with-secret-tapes-published

Turkish Stream Negotiations Suspended on Gas Discount,Pipeline Divergencies

"Negotiations between Turkey and Russia on the Turkish Stream project have been suspended as the two parties did not apparently agree on the 10.25% gas price discount. The deal reported by Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız in February was not signed by Russian authorities." 

http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/turkish-stream-negotiations-suspended-on-gas-discount-pipeline-divergencies-24846

The Energy Security Dilemma of Turkish Stream

http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/turkish-stream-energy-security-dilemma-24844

Dear @Darko, we can not avoid geopolitics! 

"The recent agreement among world powers and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear program has numerous ramifications. One of them is the domino effect it has on strategic natural gas issues between Russia and Turkey. The likely introduction of Iranian gas into the European Union via Turkey is also a crucial consideration..."

http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/triangular-relation-russia-iran-and-turkey-24877

'Turkish Stream' will continue Tesla pipeline in Europe

"In the autumn, the foreign ministers of Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia and Greece may create a memorandum on the establishment of the continuation of 'Turkish Stream' gas pipeline to Austria, which will be called Tesla, one of the project participants said.The project has already been submitted for review to the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG), where it can receive the status of a project of public interest.The Tesla pipeline, as planned, will begin to operate in 2019."

http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/Turkish-Stream-will-continue-Tesla-pipeline-in-Europe.html

Good news dear @Darko. I was not aware of fact that  Russian Gazprom plans to build it. Here are the news about the same issue from Serbia.

http://www.b92.net/mobilni/eng/index.php?nav_id=95153

Albanian minister: South-east Europe needs comprehensive energy security concept

“TAP’s first stage of construction started only few weeks ago in Albania and with its completion the country will be in a position to become an energy hub, enabling the supply of neighboring countries through the much needed Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP), a missing piece in south-east Europe’s energy security toolkit,”

http://en.trend.az/business/energy/2425807.html

Dear @Darko is it feasible that the TAP pipeline’s construction to start in 2016, as expected?

http://en.trend.az/business/energy/2425418.html

The pipeline will connect with the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece, Albania, and the Adriatic Sea, before setting ashore in Southern Italy. Its total length will be about 870 kilometers.TAP’s initial capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters per year, expandable to 20 billion cubic meters per year. Its total length will be about 870 kilometers.

The construction of the pipeline is scheduled to start on May 16, 2016.

http://www.avim.org.tr/bulten/en/108339

Montenegro Seeks Participation in TAP project

 http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/montenegro-tap-pipeline-25150

How the Game Is Played: The Life and Death of South Stream

http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/how-the-game-is-played-the-life-and-death-of-south-stream-25486

"... Russia once again finds itself locked in a battle with Europe over a new proposal for a natural gas pipeline. Like the push for and ultimate failure of South Stream, the fight for TurkStream — a project that would bring Russian natural gas to Europe by way of Greece and Turkey — is riddled with potential roadblocks, including heavy political resistance from European consumers..."

"The Energy Security and Energy Infrastructure in South East Europe for its part is aimed at exploring solutions related to energy diversification and security of supplies as part of a broader strategy that, in Mr Svilanović's words, could lead to the integration of non-EU Western Balkan countries into the Energy Union prior to their accession into the EU.

The region is currently awaiting the realization of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). Bulgaria raised its initiative to build a Vertical Gas Corridor. The Eastring Pipeline, Turkish Stream, TANAP have all been tabled. Could you make a prediction as to what the regional gas infrastructure map will look like and how the area will be impacted by the fulfillment of some of these projects?

I don't want to play with this predicting what will happen. I’ll just say I highly appreciate the fact that Russia is a relevant producer and supplier of gas and oil. Besides, I am also aware that the gas might come from Azerbaijan, might come to Iran, might come through the Greek ports as LNG [liquefied natural gas];there are options. And a country – not only your country or my country but also the region – needs to increase interconnectivity in order to be more flexible and use different sources..."

- See more at: http://www.novinite.com/articles/170847/Goran+Svilanovi%C4%87%3A+EU+Accession+Countries+Should+First+Join+Energy+Union#sthash.RMiJKArp.dpuf

Eustream seeking ways to keep gas transit

http://spectator.sme.sk/c/20060762/eustream-seeking-ways-to-keep-gas-transit.html

WHILE plans of Russian Gazprom and its partners in western Europe to extend the Nord Stream pipeline endanger the future position of Slovakia in transit of natural gas from Russia westwards via Ukraine, the Eustream company is looking for ways to keep its business profitable..."

GAZPROM EYES NEW ROUTE TO EUROPE FOR RUSSIAN GAS VIA BLACK SEA!

"Russia's Gazprom, frustrated by the failure of its plans to build a gas pipeline infrastructure to southeast Europe, has come up with a new plan to link the region via a pipeline under the Black Sea.

Faced with competition in southeast Europe from new supplies from Azerbaijan and LNG, Gazprom is moving to retain its market share in a region traditionally highly dependent on Russian gas flows through Ukraine.

Gazprom late Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Greece's DEPA and Italy's Edison, outlining the interest of the three parties in a route for Russian gas via the Black Sea through third countries to Greece and Italy..."

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/natural-gas/london/gazprom-eyes-new-route-to-europe-for-russian-26379221

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2015/549053/EXPO_IDA(2015)549053_EN.pdf

https://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Russian-Gas-Transit-Across-Ukraine-Post-2019-NG-105.pdf

Following

Others add silly answers (e.g. like "Following"- DON'T DO THAT, PLEASE! anybody can find out and see real time - by left-clicking into STATS field in right upper corner of the page, to "Followers" - who is following!) ,

I add - for the sake of "veritas":

Another example of WRONG READ COUNTS in the ResearchGate system, and therefore not worth to add to the statistics done automatically (which influences most probably the whole authors' statistics...:

As of 19-01-22,14:12 : STATS display:

36 Q-Recommendations - 76 Answers - 32 (wrong count!) Reads - 59 Followers

Best regards, W.H.M,.

Very impressive question

Following

Following the informative and valuable answers displayed by RG colleagues experts