Gazprom's group of experts led by Mr Alexander Ananenkov deputy chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee took a business trip to the Far East.

During the meeting held in Vladivostok and devoted to the Company's investment projects implementation in the Far Eastern regions it was noted that the Sakhalin Khabarovsk Vladivostok gas transmission system was nearing completion.

By the moment, Gazprom has welded up 1,216 out of 1,350 kilometers or 90% of the linear part forming the first startup complex of the pipeline with 1,100 kilometers trenched and covered with ground. Some 6,500 workers and experts and 2,500 equipment units are involved in the GTS construction.

A total of 1.4 million tonnes of cargoes were delivered from different parts of the country during the project implementation including 1.1 million tonnes of large diameter pipes and over 0.1 million tonnes of process equipment. Over 30,000 railway cars were used for this purpose.

Simultaneous construction of the gas distribution station in Vladivostok is underway. Buildings and equipment installation has been initiated there in parallel with an inter-settlement gas pipeline construction from the station to the Russky Island with a lateral to CHPP-2 in Vladivostok.

Mr Alexander Ananenkov said that “In the Q3 Gazprom is to initiate gas deliveries to Vladivostok. By this time we will finish construction of the top priority gas transmission facilities that will serve as the basis for a reliable gas transmission system in the Far Eastern region and will create conditions for the gasification development. Successful implementation of the project is a precondition for rapid socioeconomic development of Eastern Russia giving hope to many people, particularly in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krais. Prioritized gas supply to Russian consumers is a cornerstone of the Company's activity.”