OREANDA-NEWS. August 14, 2013. JSC TATNEFT continues implementing the program of trees and brush clearing of the glades for overhead electric power lines (overhead lines).

Plans for 2013 provide for clearing 522.7 km of the overhead line routes in the area of 1270.3 hectares, as well as maintenance of 689.5 km of the already cleared glades in the treeless state in the area of 510.6 hectares. The work involves 234 loggers and 83 units of specialized equipment. Utilization of the forest residues and maintenance of the cleared glades in forestless condition is performed by 7 mulching units. Mulching is the most advanced method of clearing the area from trees and shrubs. The technology has established itself as the most effective, economical and environmentally friendly.

At present 286.4 hectares have been cleared and the work is being done on the area of 506.2 hectares. The works on maintaining the cleared glades have been performed on the area of 221 hectares (43.5% of the planned amount). The total amount of clearing will cover 3771.1 hectares (60.6%) by the end of 2013, which will allow improving the reliability of the TATNEFT's power supply system.

The program for clearing the glades for overhead lines has been elaborated in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Tatarstan for enhancing the transmission lines sustainability with regard to natural phenomena and it is designed for 5 years. Performance of this work was prompted by abnormal weather conditions in December 2010, when the trees sagged under the weight of ice, which resulted in shortages and wire breakage. The plans provide for clearing 2504.3 km of overhead line glades in the area of 6218.6 hectares in the course of the program implementation. The area of the cleared overhead line routes during 2011-2012 amounted to 2500.8 hectares (accounting for 40.2% of the scheduled 5-year scope of work).

Concurrently with implementation of this program JSC TATNEFT has been active in planting large-sized trees and seedlings. The program of planting large-sized trees has been underway at the Company since 2004. More than 93,200 pieces of spruce, pine, birch and rowan have been planted during this time at the facilities of JSC TATNEFT, as well as in the cities of the south-eastern part of the Republic of Tatarstan. In 2013 part of the revenues received from the sale of motor fuel by the retail and distribution enterprises of JSC TATNEFT is also spent for reforestation. In total the Company's structures of the petrol station network will plant more than 808,000 new trees (spruce, pine, ash, oak) in the area of 367 hectares this year.