European Union (EU) companies will be prohibited from trading or marketing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) from 2027, regardless of whether the cargoes are destined for the EU or third countries, according to Reuters.
The EU letter, sent by the office of EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen to shipping brokerage and LNG advisory firm Poten and Partners, clarified that the restrictions apply to all Russian LNG transactions conducted by EU operators.
“The ban prohibits companies from trading or marketing Russian LNG to third countries as it is not relevant whether the Russian LNG is destined for the EU or not,” the letter stated, addressed to Poten and Partners, a shipping brokerage and LNG advisory.
The clarification comes as the EU moves to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027 in response to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Several European companies with long-term Russian LNG contracts had sought greater clarity on whether they could redirect contracted cargoes to non-EU markets once the import ban takes effect.
According to the letter, “the transfer of Russian LNG by Union operators irrespective of final destination is prohibited in the context of the LNG ban.”
TotalEnergies, which holds a 20% stake in the Yamal LNG project, previously said it could consider divesting its interest if it were barred from marketing Russian LNG outside the EU. Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne said earlier this month that the company had yet to receive clear guidance from authorities after receiving conflicting legal advice, Reuters reported.
In January, the 27 EU member states formally adopted the regulation on phasing out Russian imports of both pipeline gas and LNG into the EU. The EU noted that this approach will limit the impact on prices and markets. A full ban will take effect for LNG imports from the beginning of 2027 and for pipeline gas imports from autumn 2027.
