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Former US Official Gives Positive Outlook for Russia's Energy Sector

© RIA Novosti . Grigoriy Sisoev / Go to the mediabankMoscow Gazprom Oil refinery facility
Moscow Gazprom Oil refinery facility - Sputnik International
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The US energy expert cited Russia's 30-year gas export contract with China as a significant factor providing revenue for the Russian economy in the years to come.

Russia's state-run Rosneft energy company and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are considering the supply of Russian liquefied natural gas to China, Rosneft said Monday. - Sputnik International
Rosneft, CNPC Discuss Deliveries of Russian LNG to China
The overall forecast for Russia's energy sector is positive, as the country has vast oil and gas resources and many customers, Charles McConnell, a former Obama administration energy official, has told RIA Novosti.

"The Russian energy picture is very strong, having vast resources and the opportunity to supply much of the global demand," McConnell said.

The former official cited Russian energy giant Gazprom's 30-year contract with China's CNPC to export 38 billion cubic meters of gas to China annually via the Power of Siberia pipeline, which was signed in May 2014, as a significant factor providing revenue for the Russian economy in the years to come.

"The Russian economy has a new and significant deal with China. Russia has a big customer for a next 20 years. It is good business to have multiple customers, and it is good business for customers to have multiple suppliers. It keeps a balance and promotes sustainable business practices that are healthy for countries," he said.

McConnell stressed that non-OPEC countries should be conscious about developing alternatives and their own technologies to promote energy security and not simply focus on existing prices when thinking strategically. Russia and the United States should cooperate on that, he underlined.

"Global leaders must present a united front for energy security without continued domination by OPEC and Middle Eastern countries. This is a point where Russia and America can have conversations," he said.

Speaking on Western sanctions against Russia, McConnell said that they wer not an effective strategy for ensuring global energy security in the long-term.

"Perhaps, in short terms [sanctions] have applications, but long term for energy security this is not effective," he said.

A view shows the Standard & Poor's building in New York's financial district - Sputnik International
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The Russian economy is currently undergoing a downturn partially caused by a dramatic drop in oil prices, which is the country's most important export commodity. The ruble has lost about a half of its value against the dollar since mid-2014.

Russia is also affected by Western economic sanctions, imposed on Moscow over its alleged participation in the Ukrainian crisis, a claim the Kremlin has repeatedly denied. The sanctions, adopted in 2014, targeted Russia's energy, defense and banking sectors, as well as certain individuals.

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