RUSSIA / BULGARIA / POLAND / ENERGY : Thanks To Shale...Neighbors Now Squeezing Gazprom; 2012 Net Profits Down 10%.

    In a rapid and dramatic reversal of fortunes...neighboring customers of Russia's Gazprom are now successfully extracting price concessions...from the giant energy bully that once threatened...and even proceeded with supply cut-offs in freezing temps.

      All...because of new energy sources...led by cheaper shale gas and oil...that have freed-up coal and LNG.
     But...it has forced Gazprom to post less than robust growth...and that upsets President Putin. 
    Gazprom's net profits in 2012...$38 billion...fell by 10% y/y. 
    Russia owns 50.002% of Gazprom stock.
    On Moscow's stockmarket...it's shares have fallen by 29% since September.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324240804578414912310902382.html