The Gazprom headquarters hosted today a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Sergey Yeroshchenko, Governor of the Irkutsk Region.

It was pointed out that the Irkutsk Region was the area of Gazprom's strategic interest. In the framework of the Eastern Gas Program a large gas production center will be created there on the basis of the Kovyktinskoye field which is to become a major source of gas supplies for the Power of Siberia gas transmission system.

The parties discussed the practical steps on creating the Irkutsk gas production center. In particular, they dwelled upon further development of Gazprom's resource base in the region. It was noted that C1+C2 gas reserves in the Chikanskoye field were increased from 98.2 to 120.7 billion cubic meters in 2012 through prospecting activities.

The work continues on the geological exploration project at the Kovyktinskoye field. It is planned to perform 3D seismic surveys over the area of 1,300 square kilometers and drill more than ten exploratory wells there before 2016. R&D activities will be carried out as well, with a helium extraction technology to be approved inter alia.

The meeting addressed the regional gasification and gas supply related issues. Gazprom is working out a relevant program until 2016. The program will provide for the development of NGV infrastructure and conversion of motor vehicles to natural gas.

Gazprom is elaborating an Investment Rationale for a comprehensive project of gas supply to southern areas of the Irkutsk Region. The project will have an extensive effect on the regional economy, among other things, due to the enabling conditions for developing the gas processing capacities, gas chemical facilities and related industries.

The parties touched upon the issue of gas supply to and gasification of Zhigalovo settlement. Gas is to be supplied there from the Chikanskoye field. For this purpose field pre-development documents are currently being updated.

Alexey Miller and Sergey Yeroshchenko mentioned Gazprom's proactive social policy in the area. As part of the Gazprom for Children program, 15 cutting-edge versatile sports grounds have been constructed in the Irkutsk Region and another seven grounds will start to be built in the current year. In 2013 Gazprom is planning to finish the construction of a modern sports and aquatic center in Irkutsk.

“This year we'll finish the investment rationale for gas supply to southern areas of the Irkutsk Region, and following its results we may decide on the accelerated commissioning of the Kovyktinskoye field,” Alexey Miller pointed out at the meeting.

Background

The Cooperation Agreement between Gazprom and the Irkutsk Region Government was signed in October 2010, the Gasification Accord – in December 2009.

The September 2007 Order by the Russian Federation Industry and Energy Ministry approved the state-run 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.

As part of the Program, Eastern Russia saw the creation of new gas production centers in Sakhalin and Kamchatka. A gas production center is being shaped in Yakutia; similar centers in Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk are next in turn.

The Power of Siberia gas transmission system will be common for the Irkutsk and Yakutia gas production centers and will deliver their gas to Vladivostok via Khabarovsk.

C1+C2 gas reserves of the Kovyktinskoye gas and condensate field (license held by Gazprom) amount to 1.5 trillion cubic meters; gas condensate reserves – to 77 million tons.

The Chikanskoye gas and condensate field was discovered as a result of geological exploration performed by Gazprom in the Yuzhno-Kovyktinskaya area. In 2008 the field was brought into pilot commercial production.

In October 2010 Gazprom started the construction of a sports and aquatic center in Irkutsk. The center will serve as a training venue for Russian and foreign sports teams, host water sports competitions including international events as well as swimming and gymnastics classes for children and adults.