Led by Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee, a Gazprom delegation has undertaken a business trip to the city of Tomsk.

In the course of the trip Alexander Ananenkov held a meeting with Viktor Kress, Governor of the Tomsk Oblast. The meeting examined issues in relation to the Regional Energy Development Strategy up to 2020 and a draft Development Program for an integrated gas production, transmission and supply system in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, taking into account potential gas exports to the markets of China and other countries of Asia Pacific.

The parties also pondered on the gasification potential for the Tomsk Oblast. Gazprom will consider the issue of including a string of gas supply facilities for regional population centers in the Gasification Program for RF Regions over 2005 through 2007 upon completion of an expert report for an investment feasibility study to be preformed by the regional authorities.

The meeting approved the proposal to establish in the town of Kolpashevo a demonstration zone of high efficiency gas use.

A Protocol signed at the end of the meeting contemplates devising a General Development Scheme for heat and power capacities in the Tomsk Oblast and outlines a re-construction and modernization program for energy facilities based on energy saving technologies.

The Gazprom delegation and the authorities of the Tomsk Oblast reviewed the progress with the preparations for the 16th International Congress “Innovative Technologies for the Oil and Gas Industry, Energy and Communications” (CITOGIC 2006) to be held during September 5-9 in Tomsk.

The parties pointed to the topicality of utilizing the potential of advanced technologies to be showcased at the Congress for the implementation of oil & gas projects in the country’s east and development of the regional machine building industry.

Alexander Ananenkov held a meeting with the General Directors of Irkutskgazprom, Tomsktransgaz and Vostokgazprom. The meeting primarily focused on the preparation of these companies for the participation in oil & gas projects planned for Eastern Siberia and the Far East. Particular attention was paid to new technical solutions and energy saving technologies.

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Gazprom and the Tomsk Oblast entered into a five year Agreement of cooperation in December 2004. Within the Agreement scope the parties annually seal a Pact of cooperation.

In 2005 Gazprom supplied the Tomsk Oblast with some 1.3 bcm of gas and the same volumes are slated for this year. The bulk of natural gas demand in the Oblast comes from power companies (60 per cent) and other industrial branches (24%).

Gas penetration in the Tomsk Oblast is at 5.4 per cent (6.3 per cent in cities and towns, and 3.8 per cent in rural area).