Gazprom prepared to supply gas to Buryatia, Transbaikal by 2030 if investment decision on Power of Siberia 2 made in 2023

ULAN-UDE. March 15 (Interfax) - Gazprom is prepared to bring pipeline gas to Buryatia and Transbaikal in 2029-2030 if the investment decision on the construction of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline is made this year, the gas giant's CEO, Alexei Miller said at a meeting on the development of cities in Russia's Far East chaired by President Vladimir Putin.

"We have already begun updating the general plan for the gasification of these regions. We factored in the maximum amounts of consumption. Demand in the two regions today is 3.5 billion cubic meters. The pipeline will run from Naushek on the border with Mongolia northeast 250 km along the road to Ulan-Ude, and in the second phase another 450 km to Chita," Miller said.

He said the draft protocol resolution of the meeting sets the deadline for the gasification of these regions at January 1, 2032.

"It is necessary to make a long overdue strategic decision to supply mains gas to Buryatia and Transbaikal Territory in the next ten years," Putin said, opening the meeting.

Miller said that, taking into account the company's work on the Power of Siberia project, this period could be shortened to 5.5 years.

"As soon as the final investment decision is made, the moment a contract is signed, if it is made in 2023. Everything depends on how quickly the investment decision is made," Miller said, adding that in that case this could happen in 2029-2030.

Gazprom is continuing negotiations on a project to supply up to 50 bcm of gas per year to China through Mongolia. The pipeline is on the drawing board.