Gazprom, Belarus talk gas cooperation

 Alexey Miller of Gazprom and Igor Petrishenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia, met on Friday as part of the XIII International Investment Forum “Sochi-2014”.

“The parties discussed the current state and development prospects for the cooperation between Russia and Belarus in the gas sector. It was pointed out that Gazprom Transgaz Belarus, a subsidiary company of Gazprom, secured uninterrupted gas supply and transit and was a major tax payer in the Republic,” Gazprom said in a statement.

According to the statement, special focus was placed on the preparations for the 2014–2015 autumn-winter periods. Gas transmission facilities are being upgraded and overhauled in compliance with the set schedule.

The work is underway on replenishing gas reserves in underground storages. Before the withdrawal season starts, the company is going to increase the operating reserve of marketable gas to 1.035 billion cubic meters in Belarusian UGS facilities, which is 12.5 per cent more than in 2013.

“The completion of these major works will help Gazprom to smoothly get through the heating season and fully supply Belarusian consumers with natural gas in the coming winter,” Gazprom added.