Defining trends in the evolution of the Russian gas market

Abstract

The new “driving force” of the liberalization of the conditions for the functioning of the gas sector associated with demonopolization and the formation of an effective structure of the domestic gas market with a high level of competition and fair principles of the organization of natural gas trade for Russian consumers are the ongoing changes in the economic situation in the global energy market. Against the background of the expected decline in pipeline gas exports to Europe (the volume of decline may amount to 100 billion cubic meters in the medium term) it is important to focus efforts on the development of the domestic gas market, since the task in these conditions is more urgent than ever. First of all, to accelerate the transition to market pricing mechanisms (except for the population) using indicative prices on the stock exchange and within the framework of inter-fuel competition. Currently, gas prices in the domestic market are subsidized by exports, which, as mentioned above, is going to decrease, which in turn will lead to a decrease in such subsidies, and accordingly, there will be a need for higher rates of price growth in the domestic market. The importance of further development of gas exchange trading in Russia is emphasized on various government platforms. The main guidelines for improving the exchange mechanisms for the sale of natural gas are contained in the “National Plan (Roadmap) for the development of competition in the Russian Federation for 2021-2025”. It should be noted that the development of gas exchange trading should take place by increasing the economic attractiveness for participants, creating favorable economically conditioned prerequisites for an equal supply of gas to the exchange for all sellers, as well as developing an appropriate regulatory framework.