OREANDA-NEWS. June 05, 2008. In 2008 Br208,98 billion will be allocated to buy natural gas for Belarus’ underground storage facilities, Deputy Economy Minister Anatoly Filonov told a session of the Council of Ministers Presidium, which tabled preparations for the national economy operation in the autumn-winter period of 2008 and 2009, reported the Official website www.government.by.

The session was chaired by Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky.

In 2008 underground gas storage facilities should accumulate at least 760 million cubic metres of natural gas. In particular, Osipovichi underground storage facility should accumulate 360 million cubic metres, Pribugskoye underground storage facility — 400 million cubic metres. Last year the underground storage totalled 660 million cubic metres.

Anatoly Filonov remarked, the natural gas for the underground storage is bought using OAO Beltransgaz’ own funds and borrowed money. In 2007 Belarus spent Br139.4 billion on buying natural gas for underground storage.

Beltransgaz and Gazprom are in talks about redistribution of gas allocation in December 2008 and January 2009. If the winter is cold, gas supplies are supposed to increase by 120 million cubic metres and 200 million cubic metres respectively. The information was released by Energy Minister Alexander Ozerets at a session of the Council of Ministers Presidium, which tabled preparations for the national economy operation in the autumn-winter period of 2008 and 2009, on June 3.

It will allow refraining from burning expensive fuel oil in low temperatures (18-20 degrees below zero) and from introducing restrictions for customers in Belarus, he explained. This season underground gas storage facilities will contain 100 million cubic metres of natural gas more than last season, all in all, 760 million cubic metres. In particular, Osipovichi underground storage facility should accumulate 360 million cubic metres, Pribugskoye underground storage facility — 400 million cubic metres.