Russia Suggests to Build Gas Pipe with Japan
It is reported that Russia suggests Japan to build a gas pipe to connect Sakhalin with Hokkaido. Under the circumstance that the Western enhances sanctions on Russia, Putin expects to expand economic relationships with Japan and use as a ring in its Asian strategies. If the program can be realized, it will become the first gas pipe connecting Japan with other countries. Japanese government will decide countermeasures after considering influences on diplomacy.
Several Russian and Japanese diplomatists disclosed that on October 9, Russian government proposed Japan to build an undersea gas pipe to connect Sakhalin having abundant gas resources with Hokkaido. Japan and Russia reserved to hold a summit in November when APEC would be held. The proposal may become issue under discussion in the summit.
Generated energy of gas thermal power accounts for more than 40% of total generated energy in Japan. The fuel completely depends on LNG transported by oil tankers. For gas can be transmitted directly without being processed, transportation cost of gas transmitted by pipe is considered as lower than that of oil tankers by 30% to 40%. Once pipe built up, Japanese electric charge will be decreased. After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Japan started to focus on importance of pipe which was advantageous for declining procurement cost of fuel.
However, due to Ukrainian crisis and the background that relationship between the U.S. and Russia deteriorating, Japan holds a cautious attitude to launch new energy cooperation with Russia. A Japanese diplomat expressed, “Ukrainian crisis and negotiation on northern territories will decide whether the proposal will be carried out or not.”
Russia proposed to supply low-price gas to Japan for thermal power generation for Japan suffering from electric charge rising owing to unable to restart nuclear power plants, hoping that can improve relationship between Russia and Japan and promoting Japan to relieving sanctions on Russia as soon as possible.
Several Russian and Japanese diplomatists disclosed that on October 9, Russian government proposed Japan to build an undersea gas pipe to connect Sakhalin having abundant gas resources with Hokkaido. Japan and Russia reserved to hold a summit in November when APEC would be held. The proposal may become issue under discussion in the summit.
Generated energy of gas thermal power accounts for more than 40% of total generated energy in Japan. The fuel completely depends on LNG transported by oil tankers. For gas can be transmitted directly without being processed, transportation cost of gas transmitted by pipe is considered as lower than that of oil tankers by 30% to 40%. Once pipe built up, Japanese electric charge will be decreased. After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Japan started to focus on importance of pipe which was advantageous for declining procurement cost of fuel.
However, due to Ukrainian crisis and the background that relationship between the U.S. and Russia deteriorating, Japan holds a cautious attitude to launch new energy cooperation with Russia. A Japanese diplomat expressed, “Ukrainian crisis and negotiation on northern territories will decide whether the proposal will be carried out or not.”
Russia proposed to supply low-price gas to Japan for thermal power generation for Japan suffering from electric charge rising owing to unable to restart nuclear power plants, hoping that can improve relationship between Russia and Japan and promoting Japan to relieving sanctions on Russia as soon as possible.
