Gas company Latvijas Gaze (LG) was criticized in Latvia this Saturday for saying it was buying gas from Russia, but from a company that was not Gazprom.
The Russian consortium “Gazprom” today announced the immediate suspension of gas supplies to Latvia, claiming a violation of the terms of supply.
Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Latvia today […] in connection with the violation of the terms of supply,” the company said in a statement.
On Friday, LG chairman Aigars Kalvitis said that the company “buys gas from other suppliers, paying in euros, as required by the current regulatory framework in Latvia.”
In addition, the statement said that business with “Gazprom” “is not conducted”, as it is “impossible” to make payments in rubles, as required by Russia.
The note also highlights that LG is “not the only natural gas importer from the Baltic region that buys and receives natural gas from Russia,” indicating that the company is receiving gas, according to local media. intermediary.
“According to the amendments to the Energy Law, which came into force on 07/28/2022, natural gas supplies from Russia will be prohibited from 01/01/2023. Until that date, supplies are allowed,” LG said in a statement.
LG’s revelation caused some backlash in the country as the government announced in April that it was suspending natural gas imports from Russia.
For its part, on Friday, the Latvian State Security Service told local media that it was “aware” of the current situation, although it declined to provide further details on the matter.
The Latvian government also did not respond to Gazprom’s statement about the suspension of gas supplies to the Baltic country due to a breach of contract.
However, Latvia has prepared for this in recent months, with natural gas network operator Conexus Baltic Grid storing gas in an underground reservoir and importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a terminal at the port of Klaipeda (to the west of the country).
Gazprom owns 34% of LG’s capital, which makes it the main shareholder, holding a higher position than the Luxembourg company Marguerite Gas II SARL (28.29%) and the German Unper Ruhrgas International GmbH (18.26%).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
