Russia cuts gas to Europe

[Zachstar]

Natural Gas is clean.

Unlike Oil which is normally well trapped. Natural Gas seeps out all the time and is a natural part of the cycle.

Granted much of it is underground but in comparison to coal and oil. It is green enough.

[Sailor Steve]

Oh.

I thought the title meant that...

[baggygreen]

Is it related to this perhaps?

Probably a coincidence, but one can never tell. Europe struggling through winter will have some sort of effect through to the US, and now our friend Mr Chavez is cutting some oil to the states. Its not enough to warrant much attention, but it is enough to make a subtle point if that is the intent.

:hmm:

[Dan D]

I dunno, how the other the peeps are doing, but for Germany it looks like this:

gas supply from Russia 37 %, part of it via the Ukraine,

Norway 26 %,

Netherlands 18 %,

Germany 15 %,

Denmark 4 %.

Pipelines from Russia to Germany go via the Ukraine, Belarus and Poland.
Gazprom (Russia) has announced, that it will reduce the gas transfer via the Ukraine and that it will make more use of the Belarus and Poland pipelines.
It seems, that the Ukraine, quote from the article: " RUSSIA had drastically cut gas supplies to Europe, the Ukraine Government says", is looking for allies.

Gazprom statement:
http://www.gazprom.ru/eng/news/2009/01/33513.shtml

I am a little bit worried about England, though. Its energy demand at present is fullfilled with 80 % seabird guano from Iceland and with 20 % marsh gases from French cows. Potential gas transfer from Russia to England would happen through pipelines via Germany. Though luck!

[Skybird]

Germany is reached from Russia via two pipeline systems: the network of pipelines passing through the Ukraine and the Czech Republic and ending in Bavaria, and another, smaller pipeline in the north, leading through Belarus and Poland, bypassing the Ukraine completely. however, the latter has not the potential to transport as much gas as the southern pipelines do. the southern networks transports around 4 or 5 times as much gas as does the northern pipeline.

Germany is not at risk currently, we have enough gas reserves for 90 days, which could bring us through all winter even if ALL gas imports would be disrupted, from our western neighbours as well. But many other nations in europe, especially in the south, are not as safe because they had not invested in saving reserves like Germany did. they immediately consume what they get delivered, and save no reserves. These nations now are in a bad position. I heared that several cities are without heating - nice. Due to an Arctic front, we had temperatures of -26°C last night in Eastern Germany.

[XabbaRus]

NO sympathy for the Ukraine...

Want to pay half then you have to give something back.

I can't tell my energy company to stick it when they increase prices, why can Ukraine?

Don't give me the big bad Russia thing. Ukraine knows exactly how to stir it up.

As for Poland being strategically minimised, I didn't know it was important anyway?

[Zachstar]

Maybe it is just me but this sounds so 80-90s.

Anyone else getting that feeling?

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

As for Poland being strategically minimised, I didn't know it was important anyway?

Being from Russia, you may want to be more careful with such comments, Xabba. they have all historic reason to be worried about their two giant neighbours, Russia and germany. however, their probolem today is they allow their history to dominate their present, turning it into a constant state of paranoia and - in an effort to overcompensate for that - tough nationalism on their own side, while demonising both Germany and Russia, and the whole Eu in general, on the other side. Also, claiming a state of being the eternal victim, can be turned opportunistically into gold during political negotiations, so part of it all also is just this: posture, calculated tactic, and playacting: you see that tactic also being used by Palestinians, Islam, and sometimes Israel and Jewish organisations as well, even russia, the Ukraine and Georgia .

If Poland has one problem in the present, it is a psychopathological one. Unfortunately, that you can explain it does not mean it takes away the many problems they cause inside the EU, and the many "Extra-Würstchen" they demand and often get. what is behind it is not really a strong ego, but a deep-rooting inferiority complex, caused by historic trauma.

Hope they get over it sooner or later. That would make Poland a much better neighbour for Germany, and an easier and more relaxed EU member (right now the political Poland seems to cramp at every opportunity, doesn't it). - Not that on private, inter-personal levels many relations between Poles and Germans already give evidence that people can act very well and friendly with each other already. My personal quarrel is more with policies and politicians in Poland, not with the people. The few Poles I knew, were okay, and we got along very well.