Alexey Miller's column

On cooperation with Azerbaijan

“At today’s meeting with our Azerbaijani counterparts and Rovnag Abdullayev, President of SOCAR we analyzed the implementation of the contract for gas supply from Azerbaijan to Russia over the period from January to August 2010, looked at the ways of the cooperation deepening between our companies and resolved to further increase the gas purchase amount. This is fully in line with our basic contract, which doesn’t limit the maximum volume of gas supply from Azerbaijan. Owing to territorial proximity, transit zones absence and existing gas transmission infrastructure availability, the cooperation deepening in the gas sector between Azerbaijan and Russia is considered the most economically beneficial option for both partners. It is absolutely clear therefore, that Azerbaijan gives priority to increasing its export volumes particularly for Russia. It is widely known that the Russian direction is the most reliable and secure transmission corridor for Azerbaijani gas.”

Alexey Miller's message during a conference call dedicated to Oil and Gas Industry Workers Day

Alexey Miller

“On behalf of Gazprom's Management Committee and my personal behalf I congratulate you on Oil and Gas Industry Workers Day!

It is a pleasure to celebrate our professional holiday with good news and results. Today I would like to speak about our work this year.

Export supplies are gradually reaching the pre-crisis level which is very important for us. Even with account for the second wave of the crisis in some European countries, we expect gas exports to reach 140–145 billion cubic meters in 2010. Given that the average gas price in the European market is growing, we expect our export revenues to reach USD 45 billion this year versus USD 42.5 billion in 2009. In other words, our financial performance is expected to be better than last year.”