Belarus to host more of Russia's gas

Russian energy company Gazprom said it aims to increase the amount of natural gas it sends through Belarus to European consumers this year. Last year, Gazprom sent 1.1 trillion cubic feet of gas to Europe through Belarus. Alexei Miller, Gazprom's top executive, spoke by phone with Belarusian Energy Minister Alexander Ozerets about that status of bilateral energy ties for 2012. "In 2012 Gazprom will raise by 141 billion cubic feet the amount of Russian gas transmission via Belarus to the EU countries," the Russian company said in a statement. Most of the 5.2 trillion cubic feet of gas sent to Europe last year ran through Ukraine, which is contesting the amount that Gazprom charges it for gas. Ukraine said it may consider lowering gas purchases from Gazprom as it struggles to repair its economy. In early December, Gazprom announced that it took control of energy company Beltransgaz as part of a revised deal with Belarus. Gazprom under the terms of the deal would charge Belarus less than half of what European consumers pay the natural gas company. Gazprom had sought a similar deal with Ukraine, an effort Kiev rejected.