Russian anti-monopoly body asks Gazprom to boost domestic gas sales

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said on Monday it has recommended energy giant Gazprom sell more gas via a domestic exchange to make up for shortages and tackle price rises.

Gazprom has struggled to produce enough gas to meet demand following a fire at its processing facilities in Urengoy in the Arctic last month.

That has also meant it has not been able to boost gas exports to Europe, where prices have soared.

FAS said that due to a decline in natural gas supplies in August, "uncovered" domestic gas demand amounted to 1.1 billion cubic metres (bcm).

It said Gazprom has suspended gas sales on the domestic exchange since Aug. 9.

According to FAS, Gazprom's sales at the domestic exchange rose last year to 12.1 bcm from 11 bcm in 2019. In January - August 2021 it reached 3.6 bcm.

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov and Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)