OREANDA-NEWS. The Board of Directors of OJSC “Gazprom” has heard a report on the Gazprom mid- and long-term domestic market operations taking account of independent producers and Central Asia’s gas.

At present, natural gas consumption rates in Russia substantially exceed the level fixed in the Energy Strategy of Russia up to 2020. The highest increase in gas consumption has been recorded in the power generation, household sector and developed industry branches, particularly in the Central, Ural and Southern Federal Districts.

The share of gas is on a continuous rise in the fuel mix of the electricity and heat generation sector. Projected gas demand from energy companies in existing conditions will require boosting gas supplies by 28 billion cubic meters by 2010, as compared with anticipated consumption rates in 2006.

The November 30, 2006 Resolution by the RF Government to switch over by 2011 to gas deliveries under long-term five-year contracts with industrial consumers, power generation companies inclusive, at prices oriented towards an equilibrium of returns on domestic and foreign gas sales will enable to bring gas prices to a level ensuring interfuel competition and instigate consumers to start actively implementing gas and energy saving measures.