The media learned of a tightening of the transaction by the second gas contract with China – RBC

Photo: Yekaterina Kuzmina / RBC

One explanation for delaying the signing of the contract is the fact that the demand for gas in China is reduced due to the slowdown in the Chinese economy. Besides lower fuel prices makes it more profitable for the acquisition of Beijing Gas in Australia, according to “Vedomosti”, with reference to the analyst Valery Nesterov of Sberbank CIB.

In addition to that CNPC does not suit the high price offered by Gazprom for construction of the “Altai”. Beijing expects to announce an open tender, the price to become transparent, but the Russian company does not agree to it.

As the president of the Russian-Chinese analytical center Sergei Sanakoyev, a similar situation developed in the course of negotiations on the gas pipeline “Power of Siberia” which lasted 10 years and ended after talks between Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The expert suggested that in the case of “Power of Siberia-2″ will require political intervention.

The framework agreement on the supply of so-called “western route” was signed in November 2014 and provides for an annual supply of 30 billion to China cu. meters of gas from fields in West Siberia via the pipeline “Altai”. The latter must pass through six Russian regions – the Republic of Altai, the Altai Territory, Novosibirsk and Tomsk regions and the Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District.