This was confirmed by Oleg Aksyutin, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Board, Head of the Long-Term Development Department (623), at the plenary session "Russian Gas Industry: Development Priorities in New Conditions" held on October 15 as part of the XI St. Petersburg International Gas Forum at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"The energy crisis on the European market proves that renewable energy cannot become an alternative to oil, gas and even coal in a difficult period for the economy, and there is no alternative to Russian gas supplies for Europe", said Oleg Aksyutin.

He noted that the role of natural gas in the global energy balance will continue to grow; the Russian gas market will develop dynamically due to gas processing, gasification of regions and the growth of the use of gas engine fuel, and the Russian gas industry will confidently maintain its leadership and position in the world energy markets.

At the same time, Oleg Aksyutin stressed that natural gas is becoming an increasingly popular fuel in the Asian region. "It can be assumed that the global gas market will acquire a new configuration. Alliances, unions, partnerships are being formed in the contours of the new world, including between natural gas producers," noted the expert.

He cited Gazprom's long-term strategic partnership with the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation as examples of such effective, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation; the dynamic development of Russian-Turkish cooperation in the gas industry ensuring stable supplies of Russian gas to the Turkish market and transit to the countries of the European region; the signing by Gazprom in July 2022 of a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with the National Iranian Oil Company.

"The importance of strategic cooperation of the leading players in the global gas market who share common goals and views is increasing today," concluded Oleg Aksyutin.