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Italy’s Eni says it will further reduce the amount of Russian gas it receives from Gazprom

Italy’s Eni says it will further reduce the amount of Russian gas it receives from Gazprom

Italy’s Eni will receive only half the amount of gas supplies it has requested from Russia’s Gazprom today, after receiving insufficient quantities in the previous two days, the company said.

“Against Eni’s daily gas demand of about 63 million cubic meters, Gazprom announced that it would supply only 50% of the quantity requested, with the actual quantities distributed remaining almost unchanged from yesterday,” the energy giant said. on his website.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov said Thursday that the supply cuts were unplanned and related to maintenance issues, but that Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi had rejected the explanation.

“Both Germany and we, and others, believe that these are lies. In fact, they are using gas politically, as they are using cereals for political reasons,” Draghi told a news conference during a visit to Kyiv with the German. chancellor and the French president.

Europe’s overall Russian gas supply via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline fell further yesterday, and Moscow said longer delays in repairs could lead to a halt to all flows, putting a handbrake on Europe’s road race to make up for it. its gas reserves.

Italy has set a goal of refilling its gas storage system to at least 90% of its capacity in time for next winter. The storage rate was 54% of the system capacity yesterday.

Italy has begun reducing its dependence on Russian gas since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Russian gas exports to Europe have been falling steadily since sanctions were imposed on Russia. Gazprom has cut off gas supplies to many European customers who have refused to pay in rubles.

About half of the foreign companies that have a gas supply contract with Gazprom have opened a ruble account with Gazprombank to pay for Russian gas, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in mid-May, according to Ria Novosti.

Eni, which owns 30.3% of the Italian state, had opened a euro account and another ruble account with Gazprombank to settle its payments for Russian gas at the end of May, thus bowing to Moscow’s demands. The payment was made in euros, according to the group.

Italy is heavily dependent on Russian gas as it imports 95% of the gas it consumes, of which about 40% came from Russia.

Source: Capital