Gazprom's natural gas exports to Europe, Turkey move past 2016 levels to fresh record - PLATTS

London (Platts)--8 Dec 2017 801 am EST/1301 GMTStuart Elliott, Edited by Alisdair Bowles

Russia's Gazprom is set to exceed on Friday the level of exports to Europe and Turkey that was recorded in 2016 as demand for Russian natural ss and cold weather across the continent

• Sales to Europe, Turkey to reach 179.8 Bcm Friday
• CEO points to 'unconditional reliability' of supplies
• Nord Stream set for 87% utilization rate in 2017

Taking into account the nominated volume for Friday, Gazprom will have exported 179.8 Bcm to what it calls the Far Abroad -- Europe and Turkey, but not the countries of the former Soviet Union -- higher than last year's then record high of 179.3 Bcm.