Gazprom's Deputy Chairman Alexander Ananenkov takes part in a press briefing summoned by the company to disclose its plans. The briefing was held in Gazprom headquarters.
Photo: Michail Galustov
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Gazprom to Squeeze Gas out of Coal
// The monopoly begins developing coalmine methane
Gazprom found new resources of natural gas: it will soon begin developing a coalmine methane deposit in Kuzbass. The monopoly estimates the potential of the region’s deposits at 13 trillion cubic meters. Yet, experts say it is hard and costly to extract this kind of gas, in Russia it is productive only together with coal extraction. Gazprom can do it within the JV with Siberian Coal Energy Company. Still, experts believe the project will be aimed not so much at gas itself as at obtaining quotas within the framework of the Kyoto protocol.
Gazprom’s deputy chairman Alexander Ananenkov said that “very soon, already in 2007, the company will begin intensive works for developing coalmine methane deposits”. The CEO added that Gazprom is ready to begin the large-scale production of methane in Kuzbass in 2008-2009. Ananenkov estimated the total deposits in the region at 13 trillion cubic meters.
In early 2007, Gazprom announced the creation of a JV with Siberian Coal Energy Company (SUEK), a leader in its sector. Experts believe that Gazprom has activated the coalmine methane extraction project mostly due to its agreements with SUEK.
A source in the coal company said that Gazprom might be first of all interested in using the mechanisms of the Kyoto protocol. By using coalmine methane, Gazprom will obtain the right to sell quotas. However, the financial attractiveness of it is still questioned.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of June 16, 2007
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