Russia: Vladimir Putin inaugurates a new gas field in Siberia to export to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Kremlin launch ceremony for the Kovykta gas field via video link, December 21, 2022. © MIKHAIL KIREYEV / AFP

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In Russia, Vladimir Poutine launches the exploitation of a new gas field, Kovykta, located in Eastern Siberia.

The Kremlin's objective is to increase its gas exports to China.

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"

[...]

," said Vladimir Putin during a ceremony broadcast by videoconference live on television, this Wednesday, December 21.

In addition, continued the Russian Head of State, the commissioning of this site will make it possible to "

[...]

 ".

The vast Kovykta field located west of Lake Baikal was discovered in 1987. But it has not been exploited for years, while its gas reserves are estimated at some 1,900 billion cubic meters.

An energy strategy focused on the East

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia, targeted by international sanctions, has been trying to increase its gas deliveries to China, a major energy consumer.

But for that, it must exploit new deposits.

Thanks to the reserves of Kovykta, Moscow intends to increase these exports to reach 20 billion cubic meters of gas each year.

Gas from this vast field is expected to feed into the Siberian Force 1 gas pipeline, which serves northeast China.

Russia is also planning the construction of another Siberian Force 2 gas pipeline which should supply it with China via Mongolia.

Its construction should begin in 2024, definitively marking

of the Russian energy strategy.

►Also read: In Germany, inauguration of a first liquefied natural gas terminal to avoid shortages

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