Gazprom OAO : Gazprom and Sovcomflot to arrange test LNG shipment via Northern Sea Route soon

The Gazprom headquarters hosted today a working meeting between , Chairman of the Company's Management CommitteeSergey Frank, Director General of Sovcomflot.

field development, including the arrangement of oil transportation,the current state of the global liquefied natural gas () market.

The meeting also highlighted that the importance of LNG supplies to  markets via the Northern Sea Route had increased.

Alexey MillerSergey Frank discussed in details the test shipments via this route to be arranged in the nearest future.

"LNG production development is an absolute priority as compared to pipeline gas export to Asia-Pacific markets.

For instance, by supplying Russian LNG via the Northern Sea Route we will significantly reduce transportation costsmake this product highly competitive in these target Asian markets," said Alexey Miller.

Background

In June 2011 Gazprom Global LNG (the company focused on LNG marketingmarine transportation,being in charge of the global LNG strategy implementation by Gazprom)Sovcomflot signed the long-term lease agreement (for the period of no less than 15 years) for two new ice class LNG carriers with cargo capacity of some 170 thousand cubic meters. The vessels can be used for cargo transportation between any of the existing LNG terminals including year round LNG shipping from the projects.

In June 2010 GazpromSovcomflot signed the Cooperation Agreement on marine transportation of the Shtokman field LNG. The document envisages interaction of the companies in developing the LNG transportation logistic schemes, determining the appropriate specifications for gas carriersconfiguring the fleet required for the Shtokman project implementation.

Sovcomflot Group is one of the world's leading shipping companies focused on oil productsLNG transportation. The fleet comprises 156 vessels with the total deadweight of some 11.8 million tons. The company is registered in Saint Petersburg with representative offices in Moscow, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Vladivostok, London, Limassol, MadridSingapore.