OREANDA-NEWS. December 06, 2012. ITERA, which marked its 20-th anniversary this November, has exceeded the production level of 250 billion cubic meters of natural gas this year, with the total volume of gas sold being over 600 billion cubic meters, and signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Russian state-owned oil company "Rosneft" to become the joint gas business operator. ITERA has become the first Russian company to enter the Caspian shelf. In addition, ITERA is actively developing other business areas: development, engineering, power generation and gas processing, reported the press-centre of ITERA.

ITERA as a socially responsible company has been providing extensive support to the Russian cycling, promoting the international environmental project for conservation of Siberian Cranes, "Flight of Hope", and delivering a number of charity programs.

The annual "Company of the Year" award which has been in existence since late 90's, is considered one of the most prestigious Russian awards in the business area and has been established to form a positive image of the Russian business and to enhance the Russian economy competitiveness.

Winners of the award are selected by the Expert Council composed of the business community and Government representatives as well as public figures, based on several criteria: management and product quality, financial transparency, market activity, innovativeness, professional level of the team, potential investment attractiveness, and social responsibility.

Igor Makarov, President of ITERA Group, made the following comments of the Company’s victory: "It is our great honor to receive such a high and significant evaluation of the Company’s efforts. This award demonstrates ITERA’s growing role in the economy and energy security of the country. Our social programs, including development of the Russian cycling and the "Flight of Hope" project for protection of white Siberian Cranes, have been also recognized. And I am especially pleased that the award is presented on ITERA’s anniversary – the 20-th anniversary of our Group foundation.”