Construction completed on more than 93 per cent of Power of Siberia gas pipeline between Kovyktinskoye and Chayandinskoye fields
RELEASE
Release
A working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Igor Kobzev, Governor of the Irkutsk Region, took place today in St. Petersburg.
The parties discussed relevant issues pertaining to their cooperation.
Particular attention was paid to the ongoing creation of the Irkutsk gas production center. It was noted that the pre-development of its backbone field, Kovyktinskoye, is proceeding on schedule. Currently, Gazprom continues to build production wells, install steel structures, and weld pipelines. The construction readiness of the top-priority comprehensive gas treatment unit (CGTU-2) exceeds 70 per cent. The core large equipment, including that required for gas condensate stabilization, has already been installed. CGTU-3 is in the process of being built.
The construction of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline's section stretching from Kovyktinskoye to the Chayandinskoye field in Yakutia is in its final stage: about 793 kilometers of the linear part – more than 93 per cent of the section's length – has been welded, laid, and backfilled. This includes works within the Irkutsk Region, which are 98 per cent completed.
The implementation of the region's gas supply and gas infrastructure expansion program for 2021–2025 was a major focus of the meeting. The program envisages the construction of gas networks for consumers in the Zhigalovsky District. The parties are currently looking into the possibilities of building gas transmission infrastructure so as to increase the number of districts to be reached by the gas grid.
Moreover, the Company and the region are collecting applications for additional gas grid expansion – bringing pipeline gas to the boundaries of households within localities already covered by the gas grid. In the Irkutsk Region, this option is available to consumers in the city of Bratsk.
Alexey Miller and Igor Kobzev also discussed Gazprom's substantial contribution to the creation of socially significant facilities in the region. At present, the Company is supporting the implementation of construction projects for a number of social facilities in the settlement of Zhigalovo. In addition, a decision has been made to provide financial assistance to the State Children's Clinical Hospital of the Irkutsk Region in purchasing cutting-edge medical equipment.
Background
Gazprom and the Government of the Irkutsk Region are bound by the agreements on cooperation and wider use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel, as well as the Contract on gas infrastructure expansion. A Roadmap was signed for the broader use in the interests of Gazprom of hi-tech products, including import-substituting ones, manufactured by the producers of the region.
In 2007–2009, Gazprom built a gas trunkline to the city of Bratsk and inter-settlement gas pipelines to the settlements of Zyaba and Gidrostroitel.
In September 2021, Gazprom and the Irkutsk Region signed the gas supply and gas infrastructure expansion program for 2021–2025. The planned amount of Gazprom's investments is RUB 20.6 billion.
As part of the Gazprom for Children program, various multi-purpose sports grounds were constructed in the region. A modern water sports complex was also built in Irkutsk. A sports and health center with an ice arena and a universal game room was opened in Tulun as part of the support efforts for restoring the town after the flood that took place in 2019.
Through Gazprom's funds, a school and kindergarten for 110 children was built in the settlement of Bolshoye Goloustnoye of the Irkutsky District. In addition, the Company facilitated the construction of the Cathedral of the Nativity with a spiritual education center in Bratsk.