Gazprom is set to derive almost 50% of its natural gas production from hard-to-recover reserves by 2030, a structural shift that underscores the increasing complexity and cost of maintaining output levels for the Russian state-owned energy giant.
Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of Gazprom, outlined the trajectory during a presentation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, noting that the company’s current recoverable gas reserves stand at over 27 trillion cubic meters as of the start of 2026.
The move toward more difficult extraction sites reflects the depletion of easier-to-access conventional fields and the need to sustain production volumes amid ongoing geopolitical and market pressures.
This strategic pivot has implications for the broader energy market, particularly as Gazprom continues to navigate reduced access to European markets and seeks to diversify its export routes.
The company is simultaneously advancing its liquefied natural gas (LNG) capabilities, including the construction of a new LNG plant at its Ust-Luga facility in northwestern Russia, which utilizes proprietary large-scale gas liquefaction technology.
The reliance on hard-to-recover reserves may also impact Gazprom’s cost structure and profitability, as these fields typically require more advanced technology and higher capital expenditure.