The European Commission produced a summary of top priority energy infrastructure projects in October 14. The significant thrust behind the list is the endeavor to help relieve Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries of their reliance on Russian gas, and also consists of a nod in the direction of a 3rd guise of the abandoned Nabucco gas pipeline.

The 1st EU list of projects of common interest contains a total of 248 schemes of regional and significance. Although many are set within an individual country, every one of them serves to enhance potential for interlinking EU states, so therefore offers increased supply diversity. The publishing of the list happens because Brussels is trying to hold against Russian pressure to stop the likes of Ukraine and Moldova agreeing to pacts with the EU in November. Moscow's wields its domination of gas supply to these countries as a big stick, not to mention any disturbances to flows could easily affect the broader CEE region.

EU common interest projects will have accelerated planning and permit procedures, with a strict three-and-a-half-year term applied. Additionally they would qualify to apply for funds from a unique EU fund which should put €5.85bn on the table over the next six-and-a-half years.

"In the gas sector, one top priority is the security of supply," EU Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger told a press conference. "Our aim is that EU member states such as Lithuania and Poland , Romania and Bulgaria gain access to a minimum of 2 alternative sources of gas supply. We are seeking the integration of these nations into the EU , and they really should not be depended upon one gas supply especially from Russia."

Among the projects on the list are 20 liquified natural gas ( LNG ) terminals and gas transportation systems connecting EU countries, mainly in CEE. Although, no project that includes Russian imports would make the standard, with only 3 gas pipeline import routes is offered the backing and support. They consist of a pipeline connecting Algeria to Italy along with a route linking Cyprus to Greece. The last project is going to create an additional link in the so called "southern energy corridor" by connecting Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan.

That is certainly a nod in the direction of yet one more bid to salvage what was once the impressive EU-backed Nabucco pipeline scheme. Initially scheduled to transport over 60bn cubic meters of gas from the Caspian into the EU, Nabucco hasn't succeeded to locate supplies to fill it. Its scope was then repeatedly scaled back, but Nabucco West's aspirations of the routing 16bn cm of Azeri gas fell in the summer as a rival scheme (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) was given the nod by the consortium developing the Shah Deniz gas field. Nonetheless, Oettinger refuses to be denied, and stated he is actually now seeking out a stripped down variation that could follow the Danube.

"Perhaps not under the name Nabucco West, possibly along with other investors, however the infrastructure besides the Danube will continue to be a key project for all interested partners, especially considering that we anticipate Romania to grow to be not only a major gas market but also an exporter of gas with offshore gas and shale gas," he claimed, as outlined by Friedl News. The commissioner stated he additionally really wants to hold "binding discussions" with Turkmenistan very soon.

In the meantime, the list of projects additionally shone a spotlight on the Baltics, whose recent history as part of the Soviet Union has left Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia disconnected from European energy networks . At the same time, as present holder of the rotating EU presidency, Lithuania is on the Frontline of the deteriorating trade standoff with Russia.

Which has accomplished little to assist it in ongoing talks over a new gas contract, with the present contract set to conclude in 2015. Vilnius, which claims to shell out the highest price for Russian gas in Europe, has been pushing over the past 2 years to develop projects for instance such as an LNG terminal - set to launch late next year - in a bid to get away from its 100% reliance on imports from Gazprom. At the moment, it's finding it difficult to secure an improved deal from Russia over its gas imports.

The EU list incorporates the 6 Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan ( BEMIP ) projects, which attempt to finally plug the region's electricity and gas infrastructure into the wider continental systems. "The European Council agreed that the EU internal energy market must be created by 2014, and after 2015 no energy islands should remain in the EU," said Lithuanian Minister of Energy Jaroslav Neverovic at the same presentation. "The list… is a concrete step and the instrument for the elimination of energy isolation that conditions the EU energy islands ( including Lithuanian ) as well as the creation of the EU internal energy market", stressed the Minister of Energy.