The Gazprom Headquarters today hosted a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company’s Management Committee and Dmitry Mezentsev, Governor of the Irkutsk Oblast.

The parties discussed the progress with the Agreement of Cooperation between Gazprom and the Irkutsk Oblast Administration. Special attention was paid to gasification of the region. In addition, the meeting addressed the prospects for building gas chemical and gas processing facilities in the Oblast.

Alexey Miller and Dmitry Mezentsev signed the 2009–2012 action plan for gas supply to and gasification of the Irkutsk Oblast.

The document provides that Gazprom will continue construction of gas trunklines and inter-settlement gas pipelines in the Oblast. In particular, the meeting participants projected to construct the second phase of the Bratskoye gas and condensate field (GCF) – Bratsk gas trunkline, and the Chikanskoye GCF – Sayansk – Irkutsk gas trunkline. The Chikanskoye GCF pre-development is to be continued.

The Irkutsk Oblast Administration will ensure preparation of industrial and household consumers for gas supply.

Background:

The Agreement of Cooperation between Gazprom and the Irkutsk Oblast Administration was signed in February 2004, the Accord on Gasification – in December 2006.

In line with the Eastern Gas Program, a new gas production center is to be created in the Irkutsk Oblast.

In 2007–2008 Gazprom constructed and commissioned the first phase of the Bratskoye GCF – Bratsk gas pipeline. Gas will be supplied to additional consumers in the right-bank part of the city of Bratsk this December. Currently, the second phase of the gas pipeline is under design, including the Angara River crossing to the left-bank part of the city of Bratsk.

In 2008 Gazprom brought the Chikanskoye GCF into pilot operation. The field is a source of natural gas supply to central and southern areas of the Oblast.

As part of the Eastern Gas Program execution, gas processing facilities will be built in the Irkutsk Oblast. In particular, the issue of potential construction of a gas processing unit and a gas chemical complex near Sayansk on the basis of the Chikanskoye GCF is under consideration.

The level of liquefied natural gas supply to the Irkutsk Oblast averages 8.1 per cent, including 9.9 per cent in cities and towns.

In 2009 Gazprom invested RUB 235 million in the Irkutsk Oblast gasification. These funds have been allocated for commissioning of the Osinovka GDS – Ryaba settlement gas pipeline, the Osinovka GDS – Gidrostroitel settlement gas pipeline is nearly completed.