Gazprom’s Headquarters hosted today a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company’s Management Committee and Vladimir Artiakov, Governor of the Samara Oblast.

The meeting considered the progress with implementing the Agreement of Cooperation between Gazprom and the Samara Oblast Administration. In particular, the parties addressed the further regional gasification. It was noted that the matter would be considered provided the commitments of the Oblast with regard to the 2008 gasification program are fulfilled.

Background:

The Agreement of Cooperation between Gazprom and the Samara Oblast was signed on October 29, 1998.

In 2007 Gazprom supplied circa 12.6 bcm of gas to the Samara Oblast consumers. Supplies for the current year are projected at 14.3 bcm of gas.

The Oblast consumers have no gas debt to Gazprom. As of October 1, 2008 advance payments for gas made up RUB 833.76 mln.

Natural gas penetration in the Samara Oblast averages 76.6 per cent including 74.4 per cent in cities & towns and 85.7 per cent in the rural area (throughout Russia – 62, 67 and 44 per cent respectively).

In 2006–2007 Gazprom invested RUB 70 mln to gasify the Samara Oblast. The funds were used to construct two inter-settlement gas pipelines.

In 2008 Gazprom invested RUB 50 mln in the Oblast gasification, which resulted in the construction of another one inter-settlement gas pipeline.