Russia wants to beef up its gas exports to China via Kazakhstan

Russia is reviewing a new export route to China through the territory of Kazakhstan, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who attended the international forum «Sprouts: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation» as a speaker, the Interfax news agency reported.

«Along with our Chinese friends, we are reviewing another potential route via Kazakhstan, which may account for 35 billion cubic meters of gas,» Novak said.

The official noted that the project is in the initial stage of review. «This is just an idea that is being discussed.» Russia plans to transport gas through East Kazakhstan.

«There is the potential of expanding cooperation in the sphere of energy, and we have big plans for this. Currently, energy accounts for one-third of the overall economic turnover. We have been cooperating in all spheres. Last year, we supplied 107 million tons of oil to China, covering 20% of Chinese demand for energy sources,» Novak highlighted.

This year, Russia has exported about 40 billion cubic meters of gas to China. The country has also been implementing Power of Siberia, the pipeline project with a maximum annual capacity of 38 billion cubic meters of gas. This rate is expected to be achieved next year. Meanwhile, Russia exports 30 billion cubic meters of gas through the pipeline.

Russia and China have signed an agreement on the construction of the China-Russia Far East Gas Pipeline. It is going to be a continuation of the Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok pipeline and will have a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of gas after being completed in 2027.