Analysts concerned about Gazprom's intention to lay pipelines in Ukraine

Some analysts are concerned about recent announcements of Gazprom and Russian policymakers on their intentions to implement multi-billion projects without proper feasibility studies. This holds true for setting up a consortium to be in charge of the Ukrainian gas transportation system, according to an analytical survey by the United Financial Group (UFG). The project is one of three rival projects on enhancing Russia's gas transportation capacities. Other projects pursued by Gazprom are laying a pipeline from the Yamal Peninsula to Europe and the North European pipeline. The analysts point to a lack of security of transit supplies of Russian natural gas to Europe. The North European pipeline may resolve this problem as it will be laid on the bottom of the Baltic Sea instead of passing through Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Meanwhile, Russia has recently returned to plans of laying a gas pipeline in Ukraine and expressed its intention to increase the transiting of gas through this country. According to the analysts, the construction of the new pipeline in Ukraine will indicate Russia's refusal to participate in laying the Yamal-Europe and the North European pipelines.

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