Gazprom (ADR)

The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office searched premises in Berlin and Frankfurt in connection with the former Gazprom offshoot; the probe concerns suspected attempted anti‑constitutional sabotage and aiding violations of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act. Investigators allege that a Russian suspect ordered the company’s liquidation immediately after the sale with the intent of disrupting gas supplies in Germany. Implementation was prevented by the Federal Network Agency’s order to place the company under interim fiduciary administration; there were no arrests. » More on wiwo.de

Gazprom says it has a memorandum with China National Petroleum Co. to build the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline to carry 50 billion cubic meters a year from western Siberia through Mongolia to China, but the announcement lacks agreed pricing, financing and a timeline. The project could only partially replace lost European sales (previously up to 180 bcm) and analysts say China holds the negotiating leverage, likely pushing for low prices. Long‑term demand uncertainty in China and global decarbonization goals add further doubts about the pipeline’s economic impact for Russia. » More on abcnews.go.com

Gazprom signed memoranda with Mongolia and China’s CNPC to build the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which would deliver 50 bcm annually from Western Siberia to northern China and help replace lost European exports. Russia will shoulder most construction costs, raise domestic gas prices to subsidize exports, and likely sell gas to China at heavily discounted rates, reducing profitability. The project cements a more subordinate Sino-Russian relationship, binding Russian energy exports to Chinese terms and limiting Moscow’s leverage in foreign policy and high-tech investment. » More on forbes.com