In Russia, Vladimir Poutine launches the exploitation of a new gas field, Kovykta, located in Eastern Siberia. The Kremlin’s objective is to increase its gas exports to China.
“ We launch the Kovykta field, the largest in Eastern Siberia […] start work “, declared Vladimir Putin during a ceremony broadcast by videoconference live on television, this Wednesday, December 21. In addition, continued the Russian Head of State, the commissioning of this site will make it possible to “ ensure reliable gas delivery […] both to Russian companies and to our foreign partners “.
The vast Kovykta field located west of Lake Baikal was discovered in 1987. But it has not been exploited for years, while its gas reserves are estimated at some 1,900 billion cubic meters.
An energy strategy focused on the East
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia, targeted by international sanctions, has been trying to increase its gas deliveries to China, a major energy consumer. But for that, it must exploit new deposits. Thanks to the reserves of Kovykta, Moscow intends to increase these exports to reach 20 billion cubic meters of gas each year. Gas from this vast field is expected to feed into the Siberian Force 1 gas pipeline, which serves northeast China.
Russia is also planning the construction of another Siberian Force 2 gas pipeline which should supply it with China via Mongolia. Its construction should begin in 2024, marking definitively a turn to the east of Russian energy strategy.
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