Gazprom has announced that the company Management Committee has considered the readiness of the Unified Gas Supply System facilities for the period of peak loads during the autumn and winter period of 2009 to 2010 as well as the measures required ensuring uninterrupted gas supplies to Russian consumers over the winter period in the long term perspective.

The meeting noted that the UGSS was generally ready for the forthcoming autumn/winter period. Heads of Gazprom subsidiary companies and organizations were tasked to timely complete the major activities aimed at preparing facilities for the 2009 to 2010 autumn and winter operation as well as the programs to reconstruct and overhaul gas production, transmission underground storage and processing facilities.

Gazprom specialized subdivisions were entrusted with compiling the materials required to consider this issue at the Board of Directors meeting. It was emphasized at the meeting of the Company Management Committee that successful operation in the autumn and winter period especially during low temperature spells and peak gas consumption would largely depend on the availability of backup fuel reserves at power generation facilities and large industrial enterprises, as well as on the regional gas consumption discipline and compliance with Schedule 1.