Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom OAO said on Tuesday it was seeking strategic partners and asset acquisitions on the British market as part of its ambitions to expand in western Europe.
"Britain is a very interesting market. We are now discussing a strategy of entering this market," Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller told reporters at the World Gas Conference in Amsterdam.
"We are considering strategic partnerships on the British market and we are also considering buying assets in Britain."
Gazprom's expansion plans, such as a possible take-over bid for Britain's Centrica, have raised concerns in Europe after the gas monopoly briefly stopped supplies to Ukraine during a gas pricing dispute in January.
The dispute prompted the European Union, which gets a quarter of its gas from Russia, to voice concerns that the continent is relying too heavily on one major supplier.
Gazprom and Russia's government have shown their irritation over reluctance by some European countries to allow the giant company to expand its activities. UK media had reported that the British government might oppose a Gazprom bid for Centrica.
Miller said in Amsterdam that competition for Russian gas supplies was growing between Europe, Asia and the United States but assured its European partners that Gazprom would fulfil all of its obligations to the continent.
"Europe can be confident that all contracts signed with Gazprom are going to be honoured fully ... Our strategy is to make sure that ample resources can be channelled to satisfy fully the energy needs of Europe," Miller said.
Gazprom plans to sharply raise its gas supplies to Britain in the years to come from the current 3 to 4 billion cubic metres per year, using liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries and pipeline gas supplies, Miller said.
The world's largest gas producer has said it was looking to boost its market share to 20 percent in Britain, which is turning into a net gas importer as its ageing North Sea fields are quickly being depleted.
"We are exporting several billion cubic metres to Britain, which is not enough given Gazprom's potential. The North European Gas Pipeline that is currently under construction takes into account the potential of the British market," said Miller.
The pipeline from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, with a possible branch to Britain, is being built by Gazprom and its German partners BASF and E.ON-Ruhrgas and will be on stream by the end of the decade.
Miller also said that Gazprom has started LNG deliveries to Britain in addition to its first LNG shipments to the United States, but gave no details.
"We certainly have a clear vision how we want to enter the British market," he said.
Talking about possible cooperation elsewhere in Europe, Miller said Italy's biggest oil and gas group Eni was showing interest in taking part in some of Gazprom's projects. He said he would meet Eni's president in the near future to discuss potential partnerships.
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