OREANDA-NEWS. September 13, 2010. Khanty-Mansiysk hosted today a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Natalia Komarova, Governor of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra (KhMAO).

The parties addressed the implementation of the Agreement of Cooperation signed by Gazprom and the KhMAO Administration, as well as the issues with regard to cooperation deepening in the oil and gas sector.

The parties emphasized that KhMAO was a region of crucial significance for Gazprom Group, primarily in terms of the Company’s oil business development. Alexey Miller and Natalia Komarova appreciated the joint efforts taken by the Company and the Okrug in that area.

Alexey Miller and Natalia Komarova took part in the opening ceremony of a Chess Academy constructed as part of the Gazprom to Children program.

Background

Gazprom and the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra signed the Agreement of Cooperation for 2007 through 2011 in October 2007.

The document outlines, inter alia, the paramount directions of cooperation between Gazprom and the KhMAO: hydrocarbon production projects, associated gas processing and petrochemicals, reliable gas supply to the regional consumers and socially significant programs and projects.

Natural gas penetration in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra accounts for 38.9 per cent including 39.2 per cent in cities and towns and 36 per cent in the rural area. The identical figures throughout Russia make up 63.2, 67.5 and 45.5 per cent accordingly.

In 2008 the KhMAO was included in the Russian Regions Gasification Program implemented by Gazprom. In 2009 Gazprom allocated RUB 250 million for the KhMAO gasification purposes. The funds were used to launch the construction of a local gas pipeline between an automated gas distribution station in Khanty-Mansiysk and the settlement of Lugovskoy. In 2010 the Company is allotting RUB 150 million to complete the construction and bring the pipeline into operation.

The Chess Academy will be a major venue of the 39th World Chess Olympiad to be held in Khanty-Mansiysk in September-October 2010.