Gazprom Stresses Importance of Irkutsk Region

Gazprom chief Alexey Miller stressed the vital importance of the remote Irkutsk region to Russian gas supplies in a meeting with Irkutsk governor Sergey Yeruschenko.

 A large gas production centre is to be built there on the basis of the Kovyktinskoye field which is to become a major source of gas supplies for the Power of Siberia gas transmission system.

The meeting addressed regional gasification and gas-supply related issues. The program, running until 2016, will provide for the development of national gas vehicle (NGV) infrastructure and conversion of motor vehicles to natural gas.

Work continues on the geological exploration project at the Kovyktinskoye field, Gazprom said in a statement. It plans 3D seismic surveys over an area of 1,300 square kilometers, and to drill more than 10 exploratory wells before 2016.

Gazprom is elaborating an Investment Rationale for a comprehensive project of gas supply to southern areas of the Irkutsk Region. The project will have an extensive effect on the regional economy, among other things, due to the enabling conditions for developing the gas processing capacities, gas chemical facilities and related industries.