OREANDA-NEWS. January 21, 2010. Geneva hosted the 20th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Party on Gas.

Taking part in the Session were heads and experts from specialized subdivisions of Gazprom and Gazprom promgaz, as well as representatives from governments, relevant ministries and largest energy companies of UNECE member countries.

The welcoming address was delivered by Jan Kubis, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNECE Executive Secretary.

As part of the Session, consideration was given to the impact of European gas markets liberalization on gas demand and prices, as well as the prospects for the Blue Corridor project stipulating creation of international corridors for gas-powered motor vehicles.

Oleg Aksyutin, Member of the Management Committee, Head of the Gas Transportation, Underground Storage and Utilization Department of Gazprom and Alexander Karasevich, Director General of Gazprom promgaz, Chairman of the UNECE Working Party on Gas presented reports at the Session.

Addressing the participants Oleg Aksyutin noted that worldwide implementation of the Blue Corridor project would substantially cut fuel costs, reduce environmental impacts and diversify the fields of natural gas application, as well as extend cooperation among global energy, machine-building and transportation companies.

In addition, a report was presented by Sergey Pankratov, Deputy Head of the Strategic Development Department – Head of the Long-Term Development Directorate relevant to the current status and development prospects for the Russian gas sector with due regard to the government-approved Energy Strategy until 2030.

In addition, Round Tables dedicated to the underground gas storage development and the LNG market in Europe were held during the Session. Sergey Khan, Deputy Head of the Gas Transportation, Underground Storage and Utilization Department – Head of the Underground Gas Storage Directorate of Gazprom reported on the development prospects for Gazprom’s UGS facilities in Russia and European countries.