Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky hosted today a working meeting between Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Alexey Kuzmitsky, Governor of the Kamchatka Krai.

Alexander Ananenkov and Alexey Kuzmitsky visited the automated gas distribution station (AGDS) and CHPP-2 of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where gas-powered equipment startup, commissioning and testing are currently underway.

The parties expressed contentment with the joint activities of Gazprom and the Kamchatka Krai Administration on arranging gas supply to the region. It was noted that comprehensive tests were being performed at the linear part of the Sobolevo – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky gas pipeline, AGDS of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and at the gas lateral from AGDS to CHPP-2.

The meeting participants were confident that all the commissioning operations and tests would be carried out within the prescribed timeframe. The visit to the gasification facilities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky resulted in assignment of appropriate tasks to Gazprom’s specialized structural units and the Krai authorities.

Background:

The September 2007 Order by the Russian Federation Industry and Energy Ministry approved the state-run Development Program for an integrated gas production, transportation and supply system in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, taking into account potential gas exports to China and other Asia-Pacific countries (Eastern Gas Program). Gazprom was appointed by the Russian Federation Government as the Program execution coordinator. As part of the Program, new gas production centers will be created in Eastern Russia, namely, the Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Yakutia, Kamchatka and Sakhalin centers.

In September 2007 the Russian Federation Government adopted the decision prescribing Gazprom to get involved in the Gasification of the Kamchatka Oblast. Phase 1 – Gas Supply to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky project.

The Sobolevo – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky gas trunkline stretches for 392 kilometers. It is planned to bring the gas pipeline onstream and to start gas supply to consumers in 2010.

Since 2009 the Kamchatka Krai has been involved in the Russian Regions Gasification Program. As part of the Program, Gazprom’s funds were used to construct a gas lateral from AGDS of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to CHPP-2. On its part, the Kamchatka Krai Government is arranging CHPP-2 conversion to natural gas.