OREANDA-NEWS. Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, had led in Tomsk a meeting with heads of Gazprom core business units, general directors of the Company’s subsidiaries and Gazprom Group entities. The meeting was dedicated to the readiness of the Unified Gas Supply System (UGSS) facilities to operation during the autumn-winter period 2007/2008.

In his opening address Alexander Ananenkov mentioned that the UGSS was in general prepared for the upcoming autumn-winter period.Underground gas storage (UGS) facilities saw the replenishment of the gas volume withdrawn last year and the buildup of commercial gas reserves to 63.5 bcm, 500 mcm up as compared to the same period in 2006.

The potential average daily UGS withdrawal capacity increased 4.4 mcm during the December-February period to 492.4 mcm of gas. The peak potential daily gas sendout will amount to 608 mcm, 8 mcm more than last year.

In accordance with the schedule, 16 comprehensive prevention maintenance actions at UGSS facilities were completed. The main gas pipeline overhaul is nearing completion. The Company’s relevant business units were tasked to complete the preparation of the UGSS facilities.

“Gazprom will provide safe and secure operation of the UGSS in the upcoming autumn-winter period,” stated Alexander Ananenkov.