FTS proposes new tariff growth rate of 7% for independent producers
MOSCOW. June 4. (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Tariff Service (FTS) proposes lowering the July 1 growth in gas transport tariffs for independents from the previously approved 9.5% to 7%.
A draft of the corresponding decree has been published on the FTS' official website.
Previously, the FTS had already proposed changing the parameters of tariff growth, which were approved a month ago; however, at that time, it wanted to lower the figure from 9.5% to 4.8%. An FTS source told Interfax that it planned to make this adjustment under a government order, taking into account the Economic Development Ministry's refined inflation forecast for 2012 (average annual inflation was lowered by 0.8 percentage points - from 5.6% to 4.8%).
The FTS decided on 7% because it will smooth over hikes in tariffs over the next three to four years, providing a balance in the rates of their growth. The decision to change the parameters was made only after additional analysis was conducted, he said.
The FTS executive board on May 4 approved raising gas tariffs for independent producers to transport gas along Gazprom's trunk pipelines by 9.46% from July 1. The tariff was supposed to be 61.46 rubles per 1,000 cubic meters per 100 kilometers for domestic deliveries and supplies to Customs Union members and 68.08 rubles for exports.
"The decision complies with the main parameters of the 2012 and 2013-2014 socio-economic development forecast where capping tariff growth is concerned and does not exceed average annual inflation as approved by the government," the FTS said.
If the new proposals are approved, the tariff will be 58.85 rubles per 1,000 cubic meters per 100 kilometers for domestic deliveries and supplies to Customs Union members and 65.18 rubles for exports.
Russia's biggest independent gas producers are Rosneft , Lukoil , TNK-BP , NOVATEK , Surgutneftegas , Tatneft and Bashneft .