Gazprom

In 2020, Gazprom continued construction of the politically controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Completed in September 2021, the pipeline will transport huge amounts of gas from Russia to Germany. This will allow Gazprom to improve access to the Central European market, which is causing concern among Eastern European countries that rely on Gazprom's pipelines as a source of income.

In June, construction of an ice-resistant platform began at the Astrakhan field and drilling began at the Kharavskoye field. Gazprom is continuing negotiations with OMV on the sale of its stake in the Urengoyskoye field. Last August, Gazprom discussed the possibility of building a gas pipeline between Russia and China via Mongolia.

Gazprom also announced that it would develop helium production after the construction of the Amur gas processing plant was completed. The first block of the plant will be put into operation in September 2021, producing 20 million cubic meters of gas per year. Its revenue fell from $29 billion in 2019 to $22 billion in 2020, in part due to production restrictions imposed by Russia's OPEC deal. As a result, net income fell from $10 billion to a loss of $9.7bn.