As part of the International Forum “Week of Efficient Gas Utilization and Distribution” a conference has been held in Moscow today attended by Gazprom’s delegation led by Oleg Aksyutin, Member of the Company’s Management Committee, Head of the Gas Transportation, Underground Storage and Utilization Department.

Addressing the conference participants, Oleg Aksyutin noted that efficient utilization of energy resources was a key factor of Russia’s successful socio-economic development. In this regard the priority should be given to natural gas conservation as it accounts for more than 50 per cent in the national fuel and energy mix.

The speaker underlined that Gazprom, as one of Russia’s largest gas consumers, was primarily oriented at less energy-intensive production processes. Over 2008 energy saving measures helped save over 2.3 billion cubic meters of gas and some 251 KW per hour of electric power, while the total natural gas saving between 2002 and 2008 exceeded 20 billion cubic meters.

Gazprom has achieved such significant results in gas and energy saving sector through introduction of programs for reconstruction of the Company’s facilities, elaboration of new technological solutions and application of R&D results. Currently, the Company is conducing comprehensive R&D work in the area of innovative energy saving technologies including those for heat recovery at natural gas compressor stations, production of liquid fuels at depleted fields, natural gas transportation and storage in the form of gas hydrates.

Oleg Aksyutin emphasized that significant energy saving and positive ecological effect had been achieved due to adoption of novel technologies in gas pipelines repair.

Gazprom is utilizing renewable energy sources as well. In particular, to secure reliable operation of gas pipelines and to prevent emergencies arising from energy supply interruptions, Gazprom is utilizing wind power modules and solar cells modules to generate electric power.

In conclusion, Oleg Aksyutin underlined that further application of gas and energy saving measures would enable Gazprom both to secure considerable gas saving and to minimize environmental impacts.

Background:

The International Forum “Week of Efficient Gas Distribution and Utilization” was held in Moscow on October 13–15. The Forum was organized by Gazprom, Gazprom promgaz and the Russian National Gas Vehicles Association.

The Forum pursues the main objective of assisting in the development of state incentive mechanisms for efficient gas utilization in Russia, boosting the market of advanced gas saving technologies and promotion of modern gas fuelled and gas distribution equipment. Moreover, the event is targeted at establishing a constant debating platform involving representatives of all governmental departments of the Russian Federation, domestic and foreign companies and international gas industry institutions to address the crucial issues of gas distribution and utilization.

Gazprom has elaborated the Energy Saving Concept for 2001–2010, as part of which the Energy Saving Program for 2007–2010 is being executed. The Program will allow saving some 11 million tons of fuel equivalent including 10.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas, some 1.3 billion KW per hour of electric power, 1.2 million Gcal of thermal energy and 30 thousand tons of fuel equivalent of diesel and boiler-furnace fuel.