International

     United States Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources, John McCarrick, said on Wednesday: Expects Russia’s planned Nord Stream II gas pipeline to Germany not to be built.
     Says if Gazprom-led pipeline deal with European backers is reached, it will need to examine the “contours” of the deal before deciding whether European companies could face U.S. sanctions.
     Says Nord Stream II is a political project by the Russian government meant to divert existing flows across Ukraine to Europe and deprive Ukraine of transit payments.
     Says United States also opposed to multiple Turkish Stream gas pipeline projects planned by Russia to deliver gas to Turkey. Says United States is liberalising rules to increase LNG exports and working with European allies to determine the needed infrastructure to drive demand.