Russia: We are not responsible for the energy crisis – We will produce 10.1 million barrels of crude oil per day in January

Neither Gazprom nor Russia is responsible for the energy crisis in Europe, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, responding to statements by the director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

“Of course, what surprised me was the statement by the head of such a respected organization as the ILO, which is trying to turn a blind eye to the problems facing European consumers today. Undoubtedly, there is no responsibility for either Gazprom or Russia in general.” said Novak.

Novak stressed that the development of the energy crisis in Europe was influenced by the long winter, which forced the extraction of significant quantities of natural gas from underground gas storage facilities (UGS) in Europe. In addition, the global economy began to recover as liquefied natural gas, mainly from the US, was diverted to Asian markets, the deputy prime minister added.

Earlier, the head of the ILO Fatih Birol, in his statements, which were transmitted by the Bloomberg agency, had said that the great tension in the European gas market was caused due to Russia’s behavior, while the lack of gas in the underground gas storage facilities is blamed on to a large extent Gazprom.

Russia will produce 10.1 million barrels of oil per day under the OPEC + agreement, Novak said.

“Yes, 10.1” (million barrels per day), he said, answering a relevant question from the TASS agency.

Russia is a party to the OPEC + agreement, under which oil production from allied countries is regulated by market conditions. From May 2021, the OPEC + countries are restoring oil production, which was significantly reduced a year ago. From August the plan envisages an increase in production by 400 thousand barrels per day.

During the meeting, which took place on January 4, 2022, the countries participating in the agreement approved a plan to increase production for February by 400 thousand barrels per day.

Source: AMPE