18 Mar 2011 11:17

Kovykta gas deposit key source for exports to China - Russian official (repeat)

Moscow. March 17. INTERFAX - The Kovykta gas deposit in Siberia's Irkutsk Region will be a key source of gas for export to China, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said at a briefing in Moscow.

"Kovykta is primarily seen as one of the priority options as a resources base for key supplies to China," Shmatko told journalists on Thursday.

Shmatko hailed Gazprom's recent acquisition of the asset and expressed confidence that the field's development would be in line with state interests.

The minister also stressed how important the China market will be for Russia in the future.