Introduction

Abstract

Some readers may be surprised to hold in their hands a whole book about Gazprom. The Russian gas monopoly Gazprom is the biggest company in Russia. In this book the authors have set out to examine and explain its relations with European authorities and major energy companies and the challenges it has faced and will continue to face in a dynamic European, Asian, and international market environment. Gazprom controls one sixth of the world’s reserves of natural gas; it produces three quarters of the natural gas produced in Russia and supplies around one third of Europe’s gas imports. As the biggest energy supplier in Europe, Gazprom exerts a strong influence on European energy security and plays a crucial role in the international energy cooperation of Europe and Russia.