Today the Gazprom headquarters hosted a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Alexander Kozlov, Governor of the Orel Oblast.

The meeting addressed the progress with the Cooperation Agreement between Gazprom and the Oblast Government.

Special attention was paid to the work done and the further efforts to be taken for the region gasification. In particular, it was noted that constructive cooperation between the parties over 2005 to 2009 had increased the level of natural gas penetration in the Orel Oblast by 16 per cent – up to 80 per cent.

Background:

Gazprom and the Orel Oblast Government entered into the open-ended Cooperation Agreement in May 2001 and the Gasification Accord – in September 2009. In June 2010 the Agreement on wider use of natural gas as a transport fuel was signed.

Natural gas penetration in the Orel Oblast amounts to 80 per cent including 99.8 per cent in cities and towns and 52.8 per cent in the rural area. The identical figures throughout Russia average 63.2, 67.5 and 45.5 per cent respectively.

Over 2005 to 2009 Gazprom invested above RUB 172 million in the Orel Oblast gasification. The Company allocated RUB 20 million for the same purposes.