EU exec sees compromise on Poland-Russia gas deal-UPDATE 1

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Tuesday September 07, 2010 06:21:11 AM GMT

* Proposed deal for 10 bcm Russian gas/yr via Yamal pipeline

* Concerns it would keep Poland dependent on Russian gas

* Gazprom and Poland's gas monopoly signed commercial deal

(Adds detail, background)

BRUSSELS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger is confident of finding a compromise with both Poland and Russia over a proposed gas supply deal, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

The deal, not yet signed, covers 10 billion cubic metres of Russian gas a year for Poland until 2037, as well as gas flowing onwards to the rest of Europe via the Yamal pipeline.

The proposal is opposed by some in Poland on concerns that it will maintain the country's dependence on Russian supply and also has raised worries about access to the pipeline, which under EU law should be open to all companies.

Oettinger discussed the plan late on Monday with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak, who negotiated it with Russia.

"After the meeting, Energy Commissioner Oettinger said that there was a good chance that a common position between Poland and Russia will be found, which will be in line with EU law," Oettinger's spokeswoman told reporters.

"The commissioner is confident that a good solution can be found," she added.

Some other Polish ministers, including Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, have criticised the deal, saying it does not help Poland's attempts to diversify its energy sources.

Poland imports about 65-70 percent of the 14 billion cubic metres of its annual gas consumption from Russia, a dependence that worries many in the EU's biggest ex-communist state.

Separate to the inter-government agreement, Russia's giant gas company Gazprom and Poland's gas monopoly signed a similar deal at a commercial level.

(Reporting by Pete Harrison, editing by Jane Baird)

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