Russian Prime Minister Tasks Government With Setting Gas Industry Priorities

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has tasked the Government with setting priorities in the gas industry.

This pending task postpones funding for the development of gas fields, as well as detains Russia from assuming leadership in the international energy market, the Head of the Government said.

Speaking at a Friday meeting of the Energy Ministry Board, Kasyanov noted that the energy strategy, which is being elaborated, is expected to outline prospects for reforming the gas industry, and clear up the need, time-scale and schedule for developing gas fields. "We must understand that the development priority is the Yamal Peninsula fields, such as Shtokmanovskoye or others," Kasyanov said. He stressed that the Government would ensure the profitability of producing and selling gas in the domestic market not only by the Gazprom Company but by independent producers as well.