MOSCOW, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Novatek , Russia's largest producer of gas outside the state controlled Gazprom group , said it sealed its second deal to sell gas to a major Russian steelmaker.
Severstal will buy 12 billion cubic metres over five years starting next year, a far smaller contract than the 50 bcm contracted by Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel in late June.
The top producer among Russia's so-called "independent" gas companies, Novatek is barred from exporting directly to customers by Gazprom's pipeline monopoly and has built its current strategy around domestic demand.
(Writing by Melissa Akin; editing by Keiron Henderson)
((melissa.akin@thomsonreuters.com)(+7 495 775 1242)(Reuters Messaging: melissa.akin.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.com))
Keywords: RUSSIA NOVATEK/SEVERSTAL