Gazprom Emphasises NGV Role in Gas Rollout

Russian energy giant Gazprom says the spread of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) is a major component in its national gasification programme.

A special entity will be set up to consolidate Gazprom Group's assets for production and sales of compressed natural gas.

In a statement Gazprom outlined plans to boost Russia's fleet of natural gas vehicles (NGVs). Its board of directors had firmed up the role NGVs and their filling stations were to play in expanding the gas network.

"Schedules for gasification programs will contain mandatory sections on NGV fuel use and the appropriate infrastructure development," the statement said. The latter would include acquisition of land for filling stations, and conversion of vehicles to CNG use.

There are 69 regions taking part in the gasification programme, and 37 of these are advanced in adopting NGVs, the company said.

Currently Russia's NGV fleet amounts to some 86,000 units. Demand for CNG demand in 2010 was 345 million cubic meters. There are 243 CNG filling stations operating in 59 Russian regions, with 208 owned by Gazprom.