On January 12, Gazprom marked a historic milestone by pushing daily gas deliveries to China to a new peak. This development was reported across channels and echoed by observers following the company’s activities through regional communications. The record underscores the ongoing strength of the supply relationship that supports China’s growing energy demand and reflects the operational capacity of the gas transportation system linked to the Power of Siberia pipeline.
According to company disclosures, supplies routed through the Power of Siberia once again surpassed the daily obligations embedded in the long term framework. These recent highs followed earlier peaks achieved on January 3 and January 2, when gas shipments to Beijing surpassed levels initially projected under the 2024 agreement. The trend illustrates not only robust execution of contractual terms but also a robust responsiveness to seasonal and market factors that influence delivery volumes and contractual compliance.
By January 2, Russia had exported approximately 22.7 billion cubic meters of gas to China, a figure that exceeded Gazprom’s contractual obligations by about 700 million cubic meters and surpassed the prior year’s pace by roughly 50 percent. This acceleration is noteworthy when compared with 2023, which saw deliveries reach around 15.4 billion cubic meters. Analysts observed that the year began with a stronger trajectory for transit volumes, reinforcing confidence in the bilateral dynamics that govern supply security and price stabilization for both parties involved.
All purchases and transfers under this arrangement are conducted under the bilateral long-term gas purchase and sale agreement between Gazprom and CNPC, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Power of Siberia corridor in maintaining steady energy flows and strategic energy ties between Russia and China. The pipeline’s operational performance has implications for energy policy, regional energy security, and the broader conversation about diversification of supply sources across Asia and Europe.
Looking back to late December 2023, leadership statements indicated expectations that gas supplies to China would rise substantially in 2023 compared with 2022, with discussions suggesting that volumes would reach about 38 billion cubic meters in 2025. These projections reflect optimism about continued growth in demand from China and the capacity of Gazprom to scale deliveries within the framework of the existing pipeline and long-term contract arrangements. The comments also highlight the balancing act between expanding export volumes and maintaining reliable, predictable delivery schedules for customers across the region.
In related market observations, this period also saw a shift in energy demand patterns in Europe, where gas demand was noted to have fallen to historical lows not seen since the mid-1990s. That trend contrasts with the expansion of exports to Asian markets and underscores the evolving geography of global gas trade, where strong growth in one region can coincide with relative weakness in another. Analysts emphasize that such dynamics are essential for understanding how energy markets adapt to geopolitical developments, infrastructure capabilities, and shifting consumer needs across several major economies. [Attribution: Gazprom press materials and market analyses]