Russia Plans to Increase LPG Exports to China by 40% Amid Western Sanctions
Russia is set to increase its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports to China by 40% in 2026, according to Petromarket consultancy. This move is part of Russia's strategic pivot towards Eastern markets following Western sanctions imposed due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The European Union's sanctions on Russian LPG took effect in December 2024, prompting Russia to seek alternative markets for its energy exports. LPG, which includes propane and butane, is primarily used as fuel for vehicles, heating, and in the production of petrochemicals. Russia's Gazprom has already ramped up LPG exports to China from its Amur gas processing plant in eastern Siberia, which began operations earlier this year. The plant is reported to produce between 40,000 and 45,000 tons of LPG monthly, with China being a major recipient.