ABSTRACT
By IEA forecast LNG trade more than doubles, reaching almost 900 Bcm in 2040 up from around 400 Bcm in 2017. Russia has abundant available gas reserves, but its domestic demand is low and opportunities to expand exports are currently limited. Russia faces a difficult task in attempts to diversify its export. Pipeline connections are inflexible, and Russia sells almost 90% of natural gas export volume to European markets, where due to slow population growth and energy efficiency policy gas consumption is declining and simultaneously struggles with political and regulatory pressure. The key question for Russia is what export strategies to implement in an increasing, connecting and competitive global gas market, in which international trade is rapidly moving towards LNG.
