The Gazprom headquarters hosted today a working meeting between Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Heinz Bauer, owner of BAUER COMP.

During the talks the BAUER COMP experts made proposals regarding organizational arrangements for co-production of compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations in Russia.

Following the meeting results, the parties agreed to continue consultations on exploring the possible ways of organizing production of CNG filling stations.

Background

Natural gas use as a motor fuel is rapidly expanding around the world and nowadays involves more than 80 countries. The annual increase in gas-powered vehicle fleet averages 26 per cent. The world's leading vehicle producers turn out more than 80 models of gas-powered cars. The Russian fleet of gas-powered vehicles numbers some 86 thousand units (global vehicle fleet is comprised of some 15 million units).

Today, 243 compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations are operating in 59 Russian regions, with 208 owned by Gazprom. Besides, a new CNG filling station is being currently built in the Kaliningrad Region.

In 2012, 390 million cubic meters of compressed natural gas are expected to be sold through Russian CNG filling stations, which is 28.4 million cubic meters more than in 2011.

BAUER Compressors produces compressor equipment for CNG filling stations. The BAUER Compressors equipment is installed at the first CNG filling station in the Republic of Gorny Altai.