In memory of Rem I. Vyakhirev

Obituary

The Management Committee of Gazprom deeply regrets to inform you that on February 11, 2013 Rem Vyakhirev suddenly passed away at the age of 79.

Rem Vyakhirev started his professional life in 1956, upon graduation from Kuibyshev Industrial Institute, at Kuibyshevneft Association under the USSR Oil Industry Ministry as an oil production operator, assistant foreman, foreman and branch manager. From 1963 he was Director for Facilities Construction at the Kuleshovskoye field; from 1963 – Director of an oil stabilization plant; from 1969 – Deputy Head of Bogatovskneft Oil and Gas Production Directorate.

In January 1970 he was sent to All-Union Orenburggazprom Industrial Association and since that time all further career of Rem Vyakhirev was entirely connected with the gas industry.

In 1983 he was appointed Deputy Minister of the USSR Gas Industry and from 1985 he was simultaneously serving as Head of All-Union Tyumengazprom Industrial Association.

From 1986 – First Deputy Minister of the Gas Industry. When in 1989 Gazprom State Gas Concern was established, Rem Vyakhirev was appointed Deputy Chairman of its Management Committee. After the Concern was reorganized into a joint stock company in 1993, he was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors – Chairman of the Management Committee of RAO Gazprom. At the same time, in March 1993 he became Member of the Collegium of the Russian Fuel and Energy Ministry. In 1996 he was named as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Committee (for a five-year term) of RAO Gazprom (since 1998 – OAO Gazprom).

From January 2001 to December 2002 – Chairman of the Gazprom Board of Directors.

A world-class manager he was, a gifted arranger, a top-ranked specialist, an outstanding scientist who made a tremendous versatile contribution to the establishment and development of the gas and oil industry in Russia as well as in a number of foreign states.

Rem Vyakhirev – Doctor of Economics, professor, author of 20 inventions and more than 50 scientific papers. Laureate of the USSR State Prize and the Russian Federation State Prize in Science and Technology.

In all of the domains he worked really hard with much responsibility for any task he was charged with. He was distinguished by profound professional knowledge, deep personal culture along with kind and understanding attitude towards people.

For his professional activities Rem Vyakhirev was awarded state and industry prizes.

The Management Committee of Gazprom offer their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

We mourn over the loss cherishing the loving memory of Rem Vyakhirev.