Net profit at Russia’s Gazprom fell 35 percent during the last nine months.<br /><br /> Earning at the world’s top gas producer were hit by a payment dispute with Ukraine and currency losses from the slumping value of the rouble.<br /><br /> Gazprom also predicts a bleak future, with plunging oil prices possibly curtailing its investment plans.<br /><br /> “Further falls (in oil) may negatively affect our business … (and) the ability to finance planned capital investments,” Gazprom said in a statement for its nine-month results ending in September, referring to oil prices which have fallen 60 percent since June.<br /><br /> Gas prices are linked to those of oil, they usually lag oil by six to nine months. The company’s results also include its oil business<br /><br /> Gazprom did say it does not want to “endanger the well-earned trust” of its European partners which get around a third of their gas needs from Russia, half of which come via Ukraine.
