“America is a gas power and can come to rescue Europe”

About 40 percent of the gas consumed in Europe comes from Russia. Due to the conflict in Ukraine and the associated sanctions, there is a risk that prices will rise further. Neil Chatterjee, former chief executive of the US Energy Regulatory Authority (FERC), is convinced that the United States can make up for the gas shortages in Europe.

In recent days, many Western countries have announced sanctions against Russia. Germany completed the approval process for the gas pipeline earlier this week Nort Stream 2 Frozen. Knowing that Germany is heavily dependent on Russian gas is not an easy decision. The new pipeline will double the supply of cheap natural gas from Russia to Germany.

Gas prices are skyrocketing

A day later, US President Joe Biden announced the United States Obstacles Against Nord Stream 2 AG and its directors. “These actions are another part of our first phase of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine,” it said.

After all, European consumers will feel the Eastern European conflict in their portfolio. Gas prices rose more than 30 percent on Thursday in the standard Dutch futures market for Europe.

Chatterjee agreed that the United States could come to the aid of Europe. “We are a gas power,” said the former chief executive of the US Energy Regulatory Commission CNN“We have to remove it from the ground and bring it to market.”

America is the world Largest natural gas producer It also became the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time, surpassing Australia and Qatar last year.

Obstacles

According to Chatterjee, regulators are making it more difficult to export LNG to European countries, “when there is such a huge demand.” “I am deeply frustrated by the actions of my former colleagues who are raising more barriers to getting the infrastructure needed to bring natural gas to our partners,” it said. He mentions Recent actions By FERC. Natural gas projects and their impact on the climate will be severely assessed.

Chatterjee also hopes that Germany will approve North Stream 2 sooner or later. “I do not believe in Germany’s latest announcement. It’s just a matter of time before Nordstream 2 gets certified. It is already built. I think this is frightening, “he argues. According to him, Europe is currently dependent on Russian gas for such operations.

(mah)