OREANDA-NEWS. April 8, 2008. The 8th St. Petersburg International Energy Forum has been opened today in St. Petersburg. Attending the Forum is a Gazprom delegation headed by Valery Golubev, Deputy Chairman of the Company’s Management Committee.

In his speech at the plenary meeting Valery Golubev informed of northwestern Russia’s role in the long-term projections of Gazprom.

Special emphasis was placed on the Company’s large-scale projects in the region, particularly the gas transmission system expansion intended, inter alia, for securing gas supplies via the Nord Stream gas pipeline – a key project aiming to diversify gas supplies to Europe.

Development of the Shtokman field is another strategically important project pursuing diversification of gas exports. Construction of the LNG plant as part of the project opens wide horizons for Gazprom to operate in the Atlantic basin markets.

Valery Golubev underlined that these projects would considerably contribute to economic expansion in the region via extra tax revenues, new jobs, related industry development and utilization of the vast potential of scientific research institutes, shipbuilding and defense companies in northwestern Russia.

“Today Gazprom is facing the tasks, the successful solution of which is crucially important not only for the gas industry but also for Russia in general. In this context, Russian machine builders should be focused on meeting Gazprom’s needs in cutting-edge high-tech equipment. Moreover, execution of Gazprom’s large-scale projects and operation of new facilities requires training qualified personnel. Meeting these challenges is nowadays a vital and important issue,” stressed Valery Golubev.