谁还敢炸？北溪管道爆炸3年后，中俄终于签下大单！

Core Insights - The signing of the "Power of Siberia 2" gas pipeline agreement between China and Russia is a significant development in the context of the energy landscape, especially following the unresolved mystery of the Nord Stream pipeline explosion three years ago [1][7][9] Group 1: Importance of Nord Stream Pipeline - The Nord Stream pipeline was crucial for Europe's energy supply, capable of delivering 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually, which accounted for half of Germany's gas consumption [1] - The planned Nord Stream 2, with a similar capacity, would have further transformed Europe's energy dynamics [1] Group 2: Impact of the Nord Stream Explosion - The explosion on September 26, 2022, resulted in a methane leak exceeding 500,000 tons, equivalent to the annual emissions of 11 million cars, marking it as one of the most severe greenhouse gas incidents in history [3][5] - The incident led to a dramatic surge in European gas prices, reaching ten times the levels of 2021, causing numerous energy companies to collapse and prompting a shift in manufacturing out of Europe [5] Group 3: Russia's Strategic Shift - In response to the unreliability of the European market, Russia is pivoting its energy exports towards Asia, with expectations that gas exports through the "Power of Siberia" pipeline will increase by nearly 50% by 2024 [6] - Russia's share of gas exports to Asia is projected to rise from 10% in 2022 to nearly 30% by 2024, alongside significant energy cooperation agreements with countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia [6] Group 4: China’s Energy Needs - The "Power of Siberia 2" pipeline is expected to deliver 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually to China, compensating for the market share lost from the Nord Stream incident [7] - China's natural gas imports are forecasted to reach 130 million tons by 2024, nearly tripling from 2015 levels, highlighting its rapid consumption growth [7] Group 5: Strategic Implications - The agreement between China and Russia signifies a deepening strategic partnership, with projected energy trade volumes reaching $320 billion by 2024 and potentially exceeding $400 billion in subsequent years [9] - The developments underscore the notion that energy issues are not merely economic but also pivotal in the context of geopolitical power dynamics, with both nations aiming to secure their energy futures independently of Western influence [9][10]