Russia burns away large amount of natural gas, perhaps the portion to supply Europe

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

ロシア、大量の天然ガスを焼却処理　欧州への供給分か

2022.08.27 Sat posted at 16:35 JST

  （ＣＮＮ） エネルギー調査企業「リスタッド・エナジー」は２７日までに、欧州向けの天然ガスの供給量を厳しく絞っているロシアが１日あたり約１０００万ドル（約１３億８０００万円）相当のガスを焼却していると推測する分析結果を公表した。

同社は放射熱の水準を調べた衛星監視データに基づき、ロシアは今年７月１１日以降、対フィンランド国境近くに建設された液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）施設で相当な量の天然ガスを焼失させていると指摘。

これらのガスは通常ならば、バルト海を通じてロシアとドイツを結ぶパイプライン「ノルドストリーム１」を経由して欧州へ流れるはずだったものだろうとも推察した。

同社は先週公表した分析結果で、今月１７日時点での欧州市場のガス価格が１００万英国熱量単位（ＭＭＢｔｕ）あたり６７ドルだったことを踏まえれば、ロシアが燃やしているガスの量の価格は１日約１０００万ドルと推定した。

その量は１日あたり約４３４万立方メートルで、年間ベースに換算した場合、１６億立方メートルに相当。欧州連合（ＥＵ）全体のガス需要のうち約０．５％に匹敵するとした。

焼却処分の理由は不明とし、今年後半に稼働予定の同ＬＮＧ施設の試験操業の一環や組織内部での調整不足が原因の可能性などに言及。政治的な判断が絡むこともあり得るとした。

リスタッド・エナジーは、燃えさかる炎は非常に鮮明であることからロシアと友好的な政治関係が戻った場合、欧州へ送ることが可能な準備を整えていることを示唆もしていると述べた。

Translation

  (CNN) On Wednesday, energy research firm Rystad Energy announced the results of an analysis which estimated that Russia, which had been tightening its supply of natural gas to Europe, was burning away natural gas that worth about $10 million (about 1.38 billion yen) each day.

This company based on satellite surveillance data looking at radiant heat levels, pointed out that Russia has burned a significant amount of natural gas since July 11 this year at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility built near the border with Finland.

It speculated that these gases would normally have flowed to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which connected Russia and Germany through the Baltic Sea.

According to an analysis it published last week that gas prices in the European market were $67 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) as of August 17, and based on this price it was estimated that the amount of the gas that the Russia was burning would worth about $10 million a day.

The amount was about 4.34 million cubic meters per day, equivalent to 1.6 billion cubic meters on an annual basis. It would be equal to about 0.5% of total gas demand in the European Union.

The reason for the incineration was unclear, but cited the possibility that it was part of the trial operation of the same LNG facility scheduled to start operation in the second half of this year; or the lack of coordination within the organization. It could also involve political decisions.

Rystad Energy said that as the blazing flames were so obvious it might suggest that it was ready to send to Europe should friendly political relations with Russia returned.

              So, Russia, which has been tightening its supply of natural gas to Europe, and is burning away its natural gas that worth about $10 million (about 1.38 billion yen) each day. I think it is one of the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict now taking place.

 Translation note:

Rystad Energy in its website says that “Rystad Energy is the lifeblood of our company and the world at large. Our data and insights across the energy space is granular and bottom up, from the smallest data points to connecting the dots and seeing the whole picture. As the energy transition quickens and the world shifts to a net-zero, sustainable future, Rystad Energy is perfectly positioned to be a trusted partner, advising and guiding decision-makers.” ( https://www.rystadenergy.com/)