OREANDA-NEWS. On 22 December 2008 was announced, that within the framework of partnership between the state and private businesses, special urgency is given to development of smaller natural gas fields that are not considered strategic ones. This is what Vladimir Makeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of ITERA Oil and Gas Company, stated in his presentation at “Gas of Russia-2008” VI International Forum in Moscow.

There are about 700 such gas fields in Russia, today. Their recoverable resources are within the range of 3 trillion cu m of gas. Since Gazprom’s investments are going to be allocated to implement mega-projects, the potential of private gas companies may be used efficiently to develop smaller gas fields.

Vladimir Makeyev pointed out the priority should be given to the gas fields that could be used efficiently to help provide gas supply and energy supply to regions and large industrial consumers. In his opinion, the development of such gas fields and natural gas production there can be implemented by state-private consortia with the involvement of Gazprom and private gas producing companies.

V.Makeyev believes that provision of tax holidays and reduction of compulsory payments may serve a forceful impetus for implementation of such projects in view of complexity of development and importance of urgent commissioning of certain gas fields. Increased taxable base resulting from creation of new production facilities, improvement of the quality of life of the population, environmental advantages related to the usage natural gas, - he stressed, - compensate over and above the temporary reduction in the budget revenue at a stage of development and commencement of operation of such natural gas fields.