US harms European allies by forcing them to give up Russian gas

However, this is a lot. Let’s see what the US and Europe are going to replace it with. One of the sources of supplies to Europe could be Australia, which in January 2022 became the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, surpassing Qatar. Australian Commerce Minister Dan Tehan declaredthat Australian LNG exporters are “perfectly suited to meet any demand that may arise in the world, and Australia is ready to support its friends and allies in the current challenging geostrategic environment.” LNG production in the country is growing steadily, and, judging by the speeches of Australian officials, there is still the possibility of increasing it.

Sometimes they talk about logistical problems: Australia is located too far from Europe. But the director of the energy program at the Australian think tank Grattan Institute Tony Wood said that there is a solution: Australian gas is already being used for additional supplies to Europe. This does not mean that it is transported there from Australia: it is sent to Asian consumers, replacing gas from the US, which is redirected to Europe.

Another major LNG producer Qatar is also ready to participate in the replacement of Russian gas, if the US really imposes “hellish sanctions”. It has fewer opportunities, since most of Qatari LNG has already been contracted by Asian consumers, and a significant increase in production is only possible in the medium term. However, it is possible that the US will pay Qatar and buyers of Qatari LNG will be compensated for redirecting part of the Naz to Europe. The existing tankers and LNG terminals for deliveries to Europe are quite sufficient. January 31 in Washington, President Biden discusses possible solutions with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar.

In the medium term, part of Russian gas may be replaced by electricity from renewable sources. In the same Germany, until recently, their share in the country’s energy balance has been growing; in 2020 for the first time the production of “green” electricity exceeded production at thermal power plants. True, in 2021, due to the explosive growth in consumption after the lifting of the lockdown, which coincided with calm weather, hydrocarbon sources returned to a leading position. But in general, the upward trend in the production of “green” energy is obvious. Moreover, in Germany work on the program of conversion of thermal power plants to biomass.