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Russia hosts gas exporters summit Russia hosts gas exporters summit
(about 3 hours later)
Ministers from more than 10 gas-exporting countries have gathered in Moscow to discuss closer co-operation. Ministers from the world's major gas-exporting countries have gathered in Moscow to discuss closer co-operation.
Countries represented include Iran and Libya, as well as Russia - all members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.Countries represented include Iran and Libya, as well as Russia - all members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
The gathering in the Russian capital has led to suggestions that they want to set up an organisation similar to the oil producers' cartel, Opec. The gathering has led to suggestions that they want to set up an organisation similar to the oil producers' cartel, Opec.
Russian officials said delegates would agree on a charter that would make the GECF a more formal organisation. It will be closely watched by consumer nations who fear such a move could push up energy prices.
A number of issues would be on the agenda, including possible future cuts in gas production and the effect of lower oil prices, they added. Fears over energy security mean a formal organisation of gas exporting countries would be deeply unpopular in Europe and the US.
It is feared that such an organisation could hold a monopoly on world supply and set prices to suit its own needs.
The meeting also comes amid growing concern that a long-running row between Russia and Ukraine could disrupt supplies to Europe this winter.
'Protecting producers'
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will attend the forum, while President Dmitry Medvedev will host a dinner for delegates at the Kremlin.Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will attend the forum, while President Dmitry Medvedev will host a dinner for delegates at the Kremlin.
Russian officials said delegates would agree on a charter that would make the GECF a more formal organisation headquartered in St Petersburg. It is not ruled out that the current position of the Ukrainian side... could lead to disruptions in the stability of gas supplies to Europe Viktor Zubkov ,Gazprom chairman Q&A: Why EU needs Russian gas
Issues including possible future cuts in gas production and the effect of lower oil prices are also likely to be on the agenda, says the BBC's James Rodgers, in Moscow.
There are concerns among gas-importing nations that the GECF could eventually set quotas for gas in the same way as Opec does for oil.There are concerns among gas-importing nations that the GECF could eventually set quotas for gas in the same way as Opec does for oil.
However industry analysts say technical differences between the oil and gas markets make that unlikely for now. But industry analysts say technical differences between the oil and gas markets make that unlikely for now.
The meeting comes as Russia remains locked in a dispute with Ukraine over non-payment of debts. At the weekend, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said the forum was "not about any collusion".
"We are talking about protecting the interests of (gas) producing countries, about co-ordinating their work," he said.
Ukraine row
At the moment Russia remains locked in a dispute with Ukraine over non-payment of debts.
The Russian gas company, Gazprom, says Ukraine owes it $2bn (£1.4bn) and has warned it may cut off gas supplies next month if the dispute remains unresolved.The Russian gas company, Gazprom, says Ukraine owes it $2bn (£1.4bn) and has warned it may cut off gas supplies next month if the dispute remains unresolved.
Russia supplies about a quarter of Europe's gas needs, and about 80% of Russian gas exports to Europe flow through Ukraine.
On Monday, Gazprom said it had warned European customers about possible disruption linked to the Ukraine dispute.
"It is not ruled out that the current position of the Ukrainian side and some of its actions could lead to disruptions in the stability of gas supplies to Europe," Gazprom Chairman and First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said in a statement.
A similar dispute three years ago saw Russia briefly cutting gas deliveries to its neighbour, action that also affected supplies to several western European countries.A similar dispute three years ago saw Russia briefly cutting gas deliveries to its neighbour, action that also affected supplies to several western European countries.