Russian gas flows to Austria stop completely
www.chinaview.cn 2009-01-07 21:55:07   Print

    VIENNA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russian gas flows to Austria stopped completely Wednesday amid the fallout of Moscow's price row with Ukraine.

    Austria's gas industry is drawing on reserves, domestic production and other imports to guarantee gas supply to customers, said Austrian oil and gas company OMV.

    Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine on Jan. 1 after the two countries failed to reach an agreement on gas prices for 2009. Some southern and eastern European countries including Austria have seen gas flows ebb or stop entirely.

    Earlier this week, OMV said it was well prepared for a gas supply cut, with around 1.75 billion cubic meters of gas reserves, enough to supply Austrian households and industrial customers for three months during the winter.

    If Russian supplies remain halted, measures such as reducing industrial gas consumption will be considered, OMV said, adding that it was in touch with Russian gas giant Gazprom and the relevant Austrian authorities for solutions.

    About 51 percent of Austria's gas is imported from Russia, 31 percent from Norway and other countries, while some 18 percent is produced domestically.

Editor: Xiong
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