Russia makes gas inroads in Central Asia
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan provide opportunities after Europe turns it back, while also offering another gateway to China
Russia could scale up gas exports to Central Asia to as much as 20bcm/yr within the next few years, taking advantage of the region’s growing supply shortfall to cushion the blow of lost revenues in Europe. Expanding energy ties with its former Soviet neighbours will also allow Russia to exert more political influence over them at a time when Moscow faces increasing international isolation over its invasion of Ukraine. It could also use the region as a route for sending more gas to China in the near term—in the absence of progress in talks with Beijing on building a second Power of Siberia pipeline. Having lost most of its market share in Europe, likely for good, Russia is scrambling to find
![](/images/white-fade.png)
Also in this section
26 July 2024
Oil majors play it safe amid unfavourable terms in latest oil and gas licensing bid rounds allowing Chinese low-ball moves
25 July 2024
Despite huge efforts by India’s government to accelerate crude production, India’s dependency shows no sign of easing
24 July 2024
Diesel and jet fuel supplies face a timebomb in just four years, and even gasoline may not be immune
23 July 2024
Rosneft’s Arctic megaproject is happening despite sanctions, a lack of foreign investment and OPEC+ restrictions. But it will take a long time for its colossal potential to be realised