The Gazprom headquarters hosted today a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Ilya Mikhalchuk, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Oblast.

The discussion centered on the regional gasification. For instance, the parties discussed construction of the inter-settlement gas pipeline to connect the Rikasikha GDS and the Severodvinskaya CHPP-2. It was noted that construction was performed in the challenging swamp environment. The linear section of the pipeline would comprise 11 crossings through water bodies, highways and railroads.

The meeting also addressed other cooperation issues.

Background

The Arkhangelsk Oblast is a strategic partner of Gazprom. Construction of the unique Ukhta – Torzhok gas trunkline system (GTS) as well as the SRTO – Torzhok GTS are progressing in the Oblast. In 2011 the amount of Gazprom's capital investments in these construction operations is expected to reach RUB 25.8 billion.

In Severodvinsk the Sevmash Production Association was constructing the Prirazlomnaya offshore ice-resistant stationary platform and the Zvezdochka Shiprepairing Center – the Arkticheskaya jack-up floating drilling rig. Both platforms will be used for developing the Arctic shelf.

Gazprom and the Arkhangelsk Oblast Administration signed the Cooperation Agreement and the Gasification Accord in 2004 and 2006 accordingly.

Between 2005 and 2008 Gazprom invested around RUB 3 billion in the Oblast gasification. These funds were used to build 12 inter-settlement gas pipelines totally stretching for 285 kilometers.

Natural gas penetration in the Arkhangelsk Oblast (exclusive of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug) is 8.5 per cent, while the identical figure throughout Russia averages 63.2 per cent.