Russia & CIS

Officials warn further attacks could deepen shortages as imports via Poland and U.S. LNG grow in importance.

Russian ESPO Blend crude prices held steady for October cargoes as strong Chinese demand offset pressure from new Western sanctions, including a lower price cap and expanded EU restrictions.

The Voskhod LNG vessel delivered 150,000 cubic meters to Guangxi’s Tieshan port, marking another sanctioned cargo reaching China amid ongoing Western sanctions on Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project.

Russia and China have signed a memorandum to build the massive Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline through Mongolia, but pricing remains unresolved. Gazprom also agreed to boost supplies through the existing Power of Siberia line, deepening energy ties between Moscow and Beijing.

TurkStream, the only major Russian pipeline still delivering gas to Europe, faces an uncertain future as the EU pushes to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027. Analysts warn outcomes could range from extended Turkey-Russia cooperation to the pipeline becoming a stranded asset.

The shipment to the Beihai LNG terminal marks the project’s first delivery to an end-user since startup and signals closer China-Russia energy ties despite Western sanctions.

Iran’s envoy to Russia said almost all issues in negotiations with Gazprom have been resolved, clearing the way for Russian gas deliveries via Azerbaijan to begin soon, according to TASS.

Russia expects India to keep buying discounted oil despite new U.S. tariffs, while also pushing for trilateral talks with China and India to strengthen a “greater Eurasian partnership.” Moscow also sees potential for LNG and nuclear cooperation with India.

Russia has struck a key gas interconnector on Ukraine’s border with Romania, disrupting LNG imports from the U.S. and Azerbaijan via the Transbalkan route and threatening winter gas preparations, Kyiv says.

U.S. financiers, including Stephen P. Lynch and Fei Wang, are in talks with Bulgaria over investing in the Chiren gas storage site, which holds Russian gas and could play a pivotal role in Eastern Europe’s energy strategy.

EU lawmakers are proposing to move the bloc’s Russian gas phase-out deadline forward by one year to January 2027, intensifying negotiations on a legally binding ban amid ongoing energy diversification efforts.

Greek shipping companies are expected to continue transporting Russian oil that falls under price cap exemptions, despite the European Union’s latest sanctions aimed at tightening energy trade restrictions.

The latest arrival was the Voskhod, raising questions about enforcement of trade restrictions tied to the conflict in Ukraine.

Gazprom and China’s CNPC met in Beijing to discuss future gas supplies, including long-term pipeline deals, as Russia seeks to expand exports to China amid slow diversification from Europe.

Polish energy firm Orlen has officially ended all Russian oil imports, redirecting supply for its Czech refinery through the TAL and IKL pipelines. The move marks Central Europe’s final break from Druzhba pipeline reliance, following recent infrastructure upgrades.