Today at the Gazprom Headquarters Alexander Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Jean-Mori Dauge, Vice President of Gaz de France have signed an Agreement of sci-tech cooperation.

The Agreement stipulates developing sci-tech cooperation while enhancing the efficiency of pipeline gas transportation, underground gas storage, LNG production, storage, supply and regasification; developing hydrocarbon deep processing, energy saving technologies; reducing green house gas emissions; introducing new types of equipment and technologies.

In order to successfully implement the Agreement in January 2008 the parties will set up task forces with a view to identify priority directions of joint research activities.

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Gaz de France is a major European natural gas company engaged in natural gas exploration, production, marketing and distribution.

The Gaz de France is a leading gas distributor in Europe. Gaz de France provides services to 14 mln consumers including 11 mln in France.

Since the beginning of cooperation in the gas supply sector back in 1975, Gazprom has provided Gaz de France with over 280 bcm of gas, including with 10 bcm in 2006.

On June 28, 2003, Gazprom and Gaz de France signed a Memorandum on cooperation deepening. In addition to the gas supply business, Gaz de France and Gazprom have cooperated in the energy saving, transmission capacity upgrading, gas loss reduction, underground gas storage facility construction and operation, liquefied natural gas production and staff re-training sectors.

On September 19, 2005, Gazprom and Gaz de France signed a Protocol for further cooperation deepening.

On November 23, 2005, Gazprom and Gaz de France struck the first pipeline gas for LNG swap deal. In early December 2005, a tanker filled with LNG was sold to Shell Western LNG at the Cove Point regasification terminal (Maryland, USA).

On December 19, 2006 Gazprom and Gaz de France signed an Agreement to extend existing contracts for Russian gas supply to France up to 2030.

The Agreement stipulates to launch supply of extra gas volumes to Gaz de France from the end of 2010 via the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The annual gas supply volume will be 2.5 bcm.

Gazprom receives the opportunity to directly deliver gas to final consumers in France in the amount of nearly 1.5 bcm per year.