Sabotage of Russian Gas Pipelines Paralyzes Georgia and Raises Concerns in Western Europe

Strategic Insights -

Fears about Russia's reliability as a supplier of natural gas to Western Europe have been heightened by a series of pipeline attacks in the Caucasus Mountains, which have paralyzed Georgia and sent a ominous message to European leaders. The bombing of two natural gas pipelines on Sunday by saboteurs, estimated to have sent a gas fireball nearly 600 feet into the sky, has crippled energy distribution in Georgia and Armenia, and raised concerns about Russia's ability to meet growing demand in Western Europe.

Key Takeaways:

  • The sabotage of the natural gas pipelines in the Caucasus Mountains has paralyzed Georgia and Armenia, which draw gas from the damaged pipelines.
  • Russian authorities have called the strike a terrorist attack, suggesting that groups in or near the rebellious Chechnya region are aiming attacks at the country's energy distribution system.
  • Western Europe gets a quarter of its natural gas from Russia, and European leaders are already jittery after supplies were disrupted twice this month.
  • Georgian officials have cautioned that Europe should not become reliant on Russia for energy, citing the importance of alternative corridors of energy and not being dependent on one source of energy.
  • Russia's Gazprom natural gas monopoly has yet to sign a detailed supply contract with the Ukrainian national gas company, and talks seem to be adrift.
  • Chechen separatists and Islamist terrorist groups have articulated a policy of hitting objects important to Russia's economy, including its energy infrastructure.
  • The attacks have occurred not far from the South Ossetian border, where a low-level insurgency against Georgian authorities has been simmering for a decade.
  • The explosions set fire to residual gas in a reserve pipeline and punctured but did not ignite the active pipeline, and repairs were delayed by strong winds and subzero temperatures.

Statistics:

  • Russia supplies a quarter of its natural gas to Western Europe.
  • Gone are the days when Tbilisi, the unheated capital, is a major source of Russian gas.
  • The Terek River was said to be crossed in the dark by the saboteurs who have started the blast.
  • Residual gas, which prolonged repair in pipeline from Russia was said to be gone late on Wednesday.
  • 38 percent by 2020 from 26 percent today, at which Gazprom expects to increase its market share in Western Europe.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • Agence France-Presse (AFP)
  • Reuters