Russia for several years and over the past couple of months regularly breaks records on gas supplies to European consumers. And in the future it will inevitably increase the import of blue fuel, despite any restrictive anti-Russian measures. Record of supplies is forecasted to be renewed more than once before the end of this year. As RIA Novosti writes today, experts suggest that the concern Gazprom in 2018 will overcome the bar of gas transportation to Europe for 200 billion. cube. In April alone, the monopolist sent 15.9 billion cubic meters of blue fuel to non-CIS countries, which is the maximum volume for this month for all deliveries. At present, the gas goes to the European Union at a speed of 550-580 million cubic meters - normal for the winter months, but abnormally high for the end of spring volumes. The reason for this is a number of factors. First, Europeans increased fuel consumption due to cold winter and spring on the continent. Secondly, the main Russian competitors reduced their supplies.

For example, Norway was "blown away" because of problems in the Skarv field and repair works on large gas pipelines, and Libya practically stopped exporting gas because of the difficulties on the Greenstream gas pipeline. Also was forced to reduce the supply of Algeria - consumers did not accept too high a price, but all because the cost of Algerian blue fuel is tied to oil. Gazprom also refused to directly link contract prices to oil quotes, the company took advantage of the competitive advantage and selects the market from Algerians. Meanwhile, there are more weighty factors. In the future, demand for Russian gas in Europe will continue to grow, as own production declines. According to calculations by experts from the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies, by 2020, gas production in the EU will decrease from 256 billion cubic meters to 212 billion cubic meters per year, and by 2030 - up to 146 billion cubic meters.

Therefore, today's statement by the head of Gazprom Alexei Miller that the company is ready to build and Nord Stream-3, has all the economic justification. In late April, the same spoke about the same deputy chairman of the board of the corporation Alexander Medvedev. "We have proven reserves, we have transport, we are building new transport routes. If Europe declares its needs, is ready to sign the necessary contracts, I do not rule out that there will be still need for new gas transportation projects - the Nord Stream-3, for example, "Medvedev said..