Gazprom and Transbaikal Krai Government sign Accord on Gasification

Pursuant to the document, the parties are obligated to jointly develop and implement the Transbaikal Krai gasification program, with due regard to the government supported Eastern Gas Program, and the General Scheme for gas supply to and gasification of the region.
The Accord stipulates, inter alia, creation of a gas flow monitoring, diagnostics, control and metering system; preparation of proposals on application of modern technologies and equipment in the distributed energy sector; as well as utilization of fuel alternatives such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
According to the General Scheme, at the first stage the regional gasification will rely on LPG and LNG utilization, while pipeline gas will be supplied in the long run.
In addition, the Accord provides for developing regional programs for energy saving and converting motor vehicles and farm machinery to natural gas.
Under the Accord, the Transbaikal Krai Government will assure preparation of the regional consumers for gas supplies, including connection of gas-powered equipment and installation of individual gas meters.
The Accord on Gasification for the Transbaikal Krai is effective for an indefinite period.
The Transbaikal Krai was established on March 1, 2008 when the Chita Oblast and the Aginsk Buryat Autonomous Okrug were merged together.  
Gazprom signed the Agreement of Cooperation with the Chita Oblast in July 2006 and with the Aginsk Buryat Autonomous Okrug – in April 2007.
The General Scheme for gas supply to and gasification of the Transbaikal Krai was approved in December 2009. Natural gas is not supplied to the Krai, the regional consumers are currently receiving LPG.
In 2009 the Gazprom Management Committee approved the updated Concept for Russian Regions Gasification. Under the document, the scope and extent of Gazprom’s participation in the gasification process depends on the availability and development level of natural gas reserves in the regions, as well as on the use of fuel alternatives including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied and compressed natural gases (LNG and CNG).
In September 2007 the Development Program for an integrated gas production, transportation and supply system in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, taking into account potential gas exports to China and other Asia-Pacific countries (Eastern Gas Program) was adopted by the Order of the Russian Federation Industry and Energy Ministry. Gazprom was appointed by the Russian Government as the Program execution coordinator.