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

The parties discussed the progress with the Agreement of Cooperation. Special attention was paid to the regional gasification issues. Alexey Miller and Yury Berg appreciated the joint efforts by Gazprom and the Orenburg Oblast Government in this sector. It was highlighted that Gazprom had allocated RUB 2.7 billion for the regional gasification between 2003 and 2010. The funds were used to build 29 inter-settlement gas pipelines with the total length of nearly 670 kilometers as well as to raise the Oblast's gasification level from 82.6 to 92.1 per cent (the identical figure throughout Russia averages 63.1 per cent).

At present, the Company is engaged in survey activities to build nine inter-settlement gas pipelines in the Orenburg Oblast.

Background

Gazprom and the Orenburg Oblast Government entered into the open-ended Agreement of Cooperation in March 2006.

This year the total amount of Gazprom's investments in the Orenburg Oblast's gasification will amount to RUB 452 million. In addition to the survey, the funds will be allotted for the completion of two inter-settlement gas pipelines.