Astrakhan hosted today a working meeting between Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Alexander Zhilkin, Governor of the Astrakhan Oblast.

The parties reviewed the progress with the Agreement of Cooperation between Gazprom and the Astrakhan Oblast Government. Particular attention was paid to the Astrakhan gas complex operation, further gasification of the region and environmental measures taken by Gazprom’s subsidiaries working in the Oblast.

Background:

The Agreement of Cooperation between Gazprom and the Astrakhan Oblast Government was signed on April 19, 2006, the Accord on Gasification – in March 2000.

Gazprom and the Astrakhan Oblast give priority to the following areas of cooperation: gas transmission systems development, further gasification of the region, and environmental measures.

In 2009 Gazprom reconstructed and upgraded the 1.8-kilometer embankment of the Volga River on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the Astrakhan foundation day. The reconstruction process called for intensive studies and advanced engineering solutions. The promenade area was extended and the entire structure was reinforced to resist the floodwater. In addition, the embankment was equipped with several modern fountains.

The average level of natural gas penetration in the Astrakhan Oblast accounts for 74 per cent including 84 per cent in cities, towns and settlements and 55 per cent in rural areas. The identical figures throughout Russia average 63.2, 67.5 and 45.5 per cent, respectively.