The III Far Eastern International Economic Forum under the motto “Strategy 2020: Regional dimension” was launched today in Khabarovsk.

Led by Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee a Gazprom delegation is taking part in the Forum.

Addressing the Forum participants, Alexander Ananenkov pointed out that execution of the Eastern Gas Program’s projects enabled to create conditions for a rampant socio-economic development of the Far East.

“Natural gas should occupy a reasonable place in the economy of Eastern Russia,” underlined the speaker. Fortification of Gazprom’s position as a global energy company on Asia Pacific markets is an important element of the Eastern Gas Program implementation.

To develop gas industry in Eastern Russia before 2030 it is necessary to attract investments in the amount exceeding RUB 2.4 trln. Over this period the aggregate macroeconomic impact of the projects implementation provided for in the Eastern Gas Program will account for RUB 27.8 trln, while tax deduction into the federal and regional budgets will reach almost RUB 3.8 trln. Execution of Gazprom’s plans between 2015 and 2030 will provide an additional increase of the gross regional product in Eastern Russia from 3.5 to 13.4 per cent a year.

Alexander Ananenkov underscored that the main efforts of Gazprom in the Far East were currently targeted at the execution of the top-priority projects: construction of the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas trunkline, development of the Yakutsk gas production center as part of the Chayanda oil and gas condensate field, construction of the Yakutia – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas trunkline, and the gas processing complex including separation of helium. Development of the Sakhalin gas production center and creation of the Kamchatka Krai gas supply system are also in progress.

Background:

The Far Eastern International Economic Forum is organized under the aegis of the State Duma of the Russian Federation with participation of the Far East and Transbaikalia interregional association of economic interaction between federal constituents, the Siberian Agreement interregional association of economic interaction and the Government of the Khabarovsk Krai. The Forum is dedicated to the issues of executing the provisions of the Concept of the Russian Federation socio-economic development up to 2020 in the Far East.

The September 2007 Order by the Russian Federation Industry and Energy Ministry approved the Development Program for an integrated gas production, transportation and supply system in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, taking into account potential gas exports to China and other Asia-Pacific countries (Eastern Gas Program). Gazprom was appointed by the Russian Federation Government as the Program execution coordinator.

The reserves of the Chayanda oil, gas and condensate field in Yakutia, the Sakhalin-3 Kirinsky, Vostochno-Odoptinsky and Ayashsky blocks offshore Sakhalin and Zapadno-Kamchatsky prospect offshore Kamchatka are of key significance for the development of gas supply in the Far East and formation of a unified gas supply system. The Russian Government awarded Gazprom the subsurface use license for the Chayanda oil, gas and condensate field, and Kirinskoye gas and condensate field. Work is already underway to start operations at these sites in 2008.

In accordance with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s resolution, adopted at the September 1, 2008 circuit meeting in Vladivostok, the work is in progress to obtain in 2008 licenses for the Kirinsky, Vostochno-Odoptinsky and Ayashsky blocks, and the Zapadno-Kamchatsky prospect.

The Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas transmission system (GTS) is a top priority of the Eastern Gas Program. In pursuance of the order by the Russian Government and the decision by Gazprom’s Board of Directors, the work is currently underway to create this GTS for the purpose of developing gas supply to the Khabarovsk Krai and Sakhalin Oblast, and organizing gas supply to the Primorsky Krai no later than in 2011.

Gazprom invest Vostok (a wholly owned subsidiary of Gazprom) is the investment projects customer for the construction of the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok and Yakutia – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas trunklines.