The session of the Cooperating committee on strategic cooperation between Gazprom and BASF AG

On April 11, 2003 the regular session of the Coordinating committee on strategic cooperation between Gazprom and the company BASF AG has taken place in the German City Heidelberg. Gazprom’s Management Committee Deputy Chairman Alexander Ananenkov headed the Russian delegation.

Members of the Coordinating committee and chiefs of working groups have discussed results of the work done within the framework of projects and arrangements under realization by Gazprom jointly with the company Wintershall AG (the company enters the BASF AG structure) and have agreed upon the plan of further cooperation.

Co-chairmen of the Coordinating committee assessed positively the work of the Committee.

The special attention has been given to the project of development of Achimovskoye deposits in Urengoyskoye field. The parties have discussed the current state of the project and agreed upon further measures needed for its successful realization.

It was marked that Gazprom and Wintershall AG recognize significance of this project for both companies from the economic as well as technical point of view. In particular, realization of the project will permit to gain experience in the development of the complicated gas condensate fields.

The parties have also discussed current state and prospects for development of the European gas market. It has been noted, that optimization of gas transportation is the key problem of joint operation.

Besides, state and prospects of joint gas-chemical projects, results of scientific and technical cooperation and questions of interaction in the field of experience exchange, personnel training, culture and medicine have been discussed at the session of the Coordinating committee.

The session of the Supervisory Board of the joint venture established by Gazprom and Wintershall AG, VIEX and VINGAZ was held that very day.

At the invitation of Wintershall GA Gazprom’s delegation has visited underground gas storage Rehden and marine oil producing platform Mittelplatte.

Within the framework of scientific and technical cooperation Wintershall AG and Gazprom successfully solve the problem to reduce man-caused impact of the given facilities on environment and population. They also carry out constant exchange of experience to apply progressive and more economic technical solutions.

Information Directorate, OAO Gazprom