07 June 2004 18:12
Russia`s gas giant seeks to double domestic transportation tariff
Moscow, 7 June: Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom believes that doubling the domestic gas transportation tariff to 1
dollar per 1,000 cu. m. of gas is entirely reasonable, the company's deputy chairman, Aleksandr Ryazanov, told a
news conference on Monday [7 June].
The increase is necessary to provide funds for upgrading Russia's gas pipeline system, which is controlled by
the company, he noted.
Currently, 34 per cent of the pipeline system is more than 20 years old, while 37 per cent of the system is between
10 and 20 years old.
The current transportation tariff, which stands at 0.5 dollar per 1,000 cu. m. of gas, covers only transportation
costs without providing any money for investing into the system's development.
The company does not see any reason to boost its annual gas output to 580-590bn cubic metres by 2020, and to
610-630bn by 2030, as has been stated in Russia's energy strategy, Ryazanov noted, adding that the company would
maintain its output at the current level of about 540bn cubic metres per year for several years. He did not elaborate.
(R29.0658 1 dollar)
[Prime-TASS news agency] |
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