Novocherkassk hosted a solemn unveiling ceremony of a memorial bust of the Hero of the Soviet Union, the founder and the first leader of the Gas Industry Ministry of the USSR – Alexey Kirillovich Kortunov. The event took place as part of the celebration of a 100-year anniversary of A. K. Kortunov’s birth.

The ceremony was attended by Vladimir Chirskov, President of the Russian Oil and Gas Constructors Union, a Gazprom delegation, Anatoly Volkov, Mayor of Novocherkassk, representatives of the Rostov Oblast authorities, gas industry veterans of and A. Kortunov’s family members.

In the course of a solemn rally the participants emphasized the special role of A. Kortunov in the creation of the USSR gas industry. Under his direction the gas industry formed as a leading branch in the national energy sector. The unique gas fields were pre-developed in the shortest time possible, almost 100,000 km of gas mains were put into operation, the major part of the national UGSS was formed. Over the years of A. Kortunov’s work the share of gas in the USSR fuel mix reached 19.5 per cent.

Background:

Alexey Kirillovich Kortunov was born on March 28, 1907. In 1931 he graduated from North Caucasian Institute of the Water Industry and Melioration.

In 1945 A. Kortunov reached Berlin as a commanding officer of the629th rifle regiment of the Red Banner Order and 3rd class Suvorov Order. He was awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union for his service in battle.

From 1948 A. Kortunov was working for the oil and gas industry. In 1954A. Kortunov was appointed as Head of Glavneftestroy, in 1955 –Minister of Facilities Construction for the Oil Industry of the USSR. From 1957 to 1972 A. Kortunov headed the government bodies in charge of the gas industry: the Main Gas Industry Directorate under the USSR Council of Ministers, the State Committee for the USSR Gas Industry, the USSR Gas Industry Ministry.

A. K. Kortunov passed away on November 17, 1973.