Lithuania bans Russian gas imports

Lithuania's parliament, the Seimas, today approved amendments to the country's Law on Natural Gas that will ban gas imports from Russia and other countries deemed a threat to national security.

The Lithuanian cabinet of ministers on 18 May first approved these amendments, which aim to "ensure Lithuania's national and energy security", energy minister Dainius Kreivys said. The proposal followed a 22 March resolution from the Seimas that called on the government to create a legal framework that would enable Lithuania to "stop the import and use of Russian oil and natural gas as soon as possible".

The amendments bar access to Lithuania's gas transmission system and its 2.9mn t/yr Klaipeda LNG terminal, although it will not affect suppliers transporting gas through Lithuania to Kaliningrad.

Lithuania's entire gas demand is currently met by LNG from the US that is delivered at the Klaipeda terminal, the government said. Lithuania stopped importing Russian gas for domestic consumption in early April. The country has no shortage of gas now and is unlikely to face one in the future, Lithuanian utility Ignitis said last month, as it has secured adequate supply from non-Russian sources.

By Brendan A'Hearn