Today in Kazan Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of Gazprom’s Management Committee held a meeting with heads of the Company’s Administration structural units and directors general of Gazprom Group’s subsidiary companies with regard to the preparation of the Unified Gas Supply System (UGSS) facilities for operation over autumn/winter 2008-2009.

The meeting emphasized that UGSS was mostly ready for operation during the upcoming autumn/winter season.

Gas is being injected into underground gas storage facilities (UGSF) according to schedule, with 64 bcm of commercial gas reserves to be stockpiled in mid-October by the start of the withdrawal season, which is 500 mcm up on the same figure in 2007.

In December-February the potential daily sendout capacity of UGSF will increase by an average of 7.6 mcm to 500 mcm of gas. The peak potential daily sendout will reach 620 mcm by the withdrawal start, which is 12 mcm more versus last year and 20 mcm more versus the abnormally cold period between 2006 and 2007.

In accordance with the approved schedule, 16 sets of preventive maintenance and repair operations have been carried out in full at UGSS facilities. A planned scope of work has been performed at gas production, transmission, storage and processing facilities. In particular, new wells have been taken into operation at the Yuzhno-Russkoye field and Kharvutinskaya area of the Yamburg field. The linepipe overhaul is at its final stage.

Overall, the plans have been fulfilled with regard to the preparation of gas facilities of gas distribution companies and Gazpromregiongaz for the autumn/winter period.

Gazprom’s relevant units were entrusted with finalizing the preparation of UGSS facilities.

“Large-scale work has been done to prepare the Unified Gas Supply System for the upcoming winter, with its reliability enhanced and sufficient gas reserves created. Gazprom will as always provide secure and uninterrupted gas supply to its consumers both in Russia and abroad,” maintained Alexander Ananenkov.