Gazprom's subsidiary throws almost $1 mln to lobby Nord Stream 2 in U.S.

Nord Stream 2 AG, fully owned by Russia’s energy giant Gazprom, engaged the services of three lobbying firms. The corresponding contracts had been signed back in July 2017, before U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), RBC reports.

Capitol Counsel has received $150,000 from Gazprom, while $80,000 was allocated to Hawksbill Group and another $650,000 - to Roberti Global, according to the data on Nord Stream 2 AG from the Lobbying Databases of the U.S. Senate. The Nord Stream 2 AG contract with Roberti Global proved to be the second most expensive deal in the third quarter of 2017, only topped by the Qualcomm chipmaker deal with Covington & Burling, the Politico newspaper said. The contract with Capitol Counsel has been terminated.

Nord Stream 2 AG has tasked the said firms with lobbying issues related to the U.S. position in relation to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, including the impact of potential financial sanctions on the project. The Act signed by Trump on August 2, which significantly expands sanctions against Russia, includes an article that jeopardizes Nord Stream 2 and other pipeline projects for the Russian energy exports.

Read alsoWashington bans U.S. citizens from participating in Russian energy projectsAccording to the legislation, the U.S. president, in coordination with America's allies, can ban a meaningful participation of companies in Russian projects for the exports of hydrocarbons. The Act threatens sanctions for companies from any jurisdiction that invest in Russia's projects for energy exports, as well as provide services, goods, and technologies.

Roberti Global is lobbying the interests of Nord Stream 2 AG in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as hired a subcontractor, SMW Partners, to lobby them on behalf of Nord Stream 2 AG in the Executive Office of the President.

Read alsoU.S. Ambassador: Ukraine may lose US$2.7 bln per year because of Nord Stream 2

Nord Stream 2 project involves the construction of two strings of a gas pipeline from the Russian coast via the Baltic Sea to Germany. The operator of construction Nord Stream 2 AG (where Gazprom is the sole shareholder) and five European partners Shell, OMV, Engine, Uniper, and Wintershall finance the project. Gazprom provides 50% of the production budget of Nord Stream 2, while the rest companies cover 10% each.

Read alsoEuropean operators eyeing lease of Ukraine's gas transport system after 2020 – mediaNord Stream 2 AG has also lobbyists in the European Union, according to the relevant EU database. The company's annual budget for lobbying in Europe is estimated at EUR 400,000 - EUR 500,000. Moreover, it pays EUR 200,000 - EUR 400,000 a year to outside lobbyists.