[ROCKMAN]

OK, let’s see if I follow this correctly. Gazprom was going to build (and pay for) the South Stream Pipeline that would bypass the Ukraine and deliver NG directly to the EU. But the EU objected because it didn’t want the same folks who owned the NG to also own the pipeline. And SHAZAM!...the EU won and Gazprom cancelled South Stream and suffering about a $5 billion loss in the process.

So now Russia is about to cut a deal with Turkey that will allow them to bypass the Ukraine. And the EU objection to Gazprom owning the pipeline delivering NG to them is no longer an issue: the EU will own the pipeline…as well as pay for it. And Gazprom will still have absolute control over the amount of NG that makes it to the EU.

Well played, EU!!!

MOSCOW, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom plans to supply the first gas via a new route to Turkey in December 2016, Chief Executive Alexei Miller said in a statement on Tuesday. Gazprom said last year it would build a new pipeline to Turkey with a capacity of 63 billion cubic metres (bcm) a year to bypass Ukraine. It had earlier scrapped a planned South Stream pipeline over disagreements with the European Union.

Under the new plan, the EU would have to build its own link to the proposed pipeline to Turkey to get Russian gas, which now accounts for around a third of Europe's needs. Around half of that is currently being pumped via Ukraine. On Tuesday, Miller said the new pipeline would consist of four lines of 15.75 bcm each, with the first one to supply Turkey only. Turkey is already receiving Russian gas via existing routes, importing 27.4 bcm last year. Miller added Russia and Turkey would sign an agreement on building the pipeline in the second quarter of 2015. Gazprom has still to reveal the estimated cost of the project.

The EU, at loggerheads with Moscow over unrest Ukraine and keen to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, had objected to the $40 billion South Stream pipeline, which was to enter the bloc via Bulgaria, on competition grounds. The proposed undersea pipeline to Turkey is seen as avoiding that problem. Russia has offered to link it with a gas hub -- also yet to be built -- at the EU's southeastern edge, the Turkish-Greek border, to supply southern Europe.

[AgentR11]

Anyone find it a little "convenient" that the Euro hub would be in Greece, and now Greece is sounding rather pro-Russian. Methinks Greece wants the hub on the Greek / EU border; but will then Greece become the same sort of problem for Gazprom that Ukraine is now; essentially stealing gas paid for by other EU countries, and wanting Gazprom to foot the cost.

[radon1]

Anyone find it a little "convenient" that the Euro hub would be in Greece, and now Greece is sounding rather pro-Russian. Methinks Greece wants the hub on the Greek / EU border; but will then Greece become the same sort of problem for Gazprom that Ukraine is now; essentially stealing gas paid for by other EU countries, and wanting Gazprom to foot the cost.

Then the gas may be re-rooted back via Ukraine. Or, a new branch of the pipeline easily built via Bulgaria just off the Greek cost. They will have to compete for the supplies, and this will eliminate the theft and force them to act on a purely commercial basis.

[sparky]

.
There is another landmine on the road
Gazprom give discount to some customers ,
it's either a Gazprom discount based on contract for large quantities over very long time
the contract also specifies the minimum quantities the customer must take and pay

or it's a government discount of the taxes on gas given to friendly countries

much to Russia anger some of the bargain price gas has been re-exported to others leading to grumbling that preferential billing might cease

there is a push by "Neo con" Europe to go for a common European price
Russia say that's OK everybody pay the same and doesn't get any discount
Germany , which get a large one , is not amused

[radon1]

How long before color revolution comes to Greece?

[dissident]

How long before color revolution comes to Greece?

No worries. The new government has agreed with the Eurotard Eurocrats in Bruxelles to extend sanctions on Russia. The lack of foaming at the mouth coverage of the Greek elections confirms that the new government will be pliant.