Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over the launch of a major new Siberian gas field on Wednesday to help drive a planned surge in supply to China.
The Kovykta gas field will feed into the Power of Siberia pipeline carrying Russian gas to China. With recoverable reserves of 1.8 trillion cubic meters, it is the largest in eastern Russia.
The launch is part of Russia’s strategy to shift gas exports to the east as the European Union cuts reliance on Russian energy in response to the war in Ukraine.
Putin hailed it as a “significant event” for Russia’s energy industry and the whole economy. He joined a video link to workers at the site, who were shown lined up on the snow in blue protective suits and white helmets, and gave the order “Start work!” to inaugurate the project….