Russia, Japan Negotiating Pipeline Gas Exports – Miller

TOKYO. Nov 21 (Interfax) – Russia and Japan are negotiating Russian pipeline gas exports to Japanese markets, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said in Tokyo on Monday.

He told a Russian-Japanese economic forum that Gazprom plans to develop gas industry infrastructure in Eastern Siberia and in the Far East, which implies the formation of major chemicals enterprises. “These products will be in demand in Japan, as well. Also, the laying of trunk gas pipelines to Asian and Pacific markets is being discussed,” he said.

Miller said that, “Gazprom plans to boost the production of liquefied natural gas.” Japan, he said, is a likely participant in the development of the Shtokman field. “Gazprom is also exploring the possibility of acquiring a stake in the Sakhalin-2 project,” Miller said.

Regarding pipe exports to Japan, Miller said, “Gazprom and its Turkish partners are considering the laying of additional transport capacities on the bed of the Black Sea under the Blue Stream project.”