Russian Federation and Italy will construct gas main on a bottom of Black Sea
Italian Oil Company Eni and Russian Open Society “Gazprom” have signed the agreement on construction of a new gas main for transportation of gas from Russia to Europe.
The project has received the name “the South-European gas main”. In the joint statement signed today by Russian Energy and Industry minister Victor Khristenko, who now is on a visit in Italy, and Italian Minister of Economic Development Pierluigi Bersani, it is marked, that the new agreement is entirely welcomed by Moscow and Rome.
“Initiative” of Gazprom” and ENI on creation of a new route of gas transportation adequating to the advanced ecological, technical and economic criteria and it can become the essential contribution to increase of safety of power supply of the countries of the Europe and to strengthening their cooperation in the field of power. It is marked in the document that such cooperation can be developed on the basis of participation of the companies of the states-members of the European Union and other states of region in realizations of the joint project.
Russia and Italy are planning to support activity of both companies in realization of the project and to provide the most favorable conditions for economically effective realization of the project. Besides, ministers have expressed readiness to lead corresponding consultations of representatives of other states of region concerning, connected with the project.
The market of natural gas of Italy is the third on size market among the European countries after the Great Britain and Germany. The share of gas in power balance of Italy exceeds 30 %. In 2005 almost 86 % of needs for natural gas of Italy have been covered due to import. Algeria and Russia are the basic suppliers of “blue fuel” into this country. Italy - is the second-largest importer of the Russian gas in the Europe. In 2005 the standard item of Group Gazprom to Italy has made 22 billion cubic meters of gas.
Let’s remind, that “Gazprom” and ENI participate in realization of the project “the Blue stream” (the main gas main, intended for direct deliveries of the Russian gas to Turkey on a bottom of Black sea). In 2003 “the blue stream” has been put into operation, in 2005. To Turkey on a gas main it is put 5 billion cubic meters of gas, in 2006. In November, 2006 the companies have signed the agreement on strategic partnership according to which “Gazprom” can carry out direct deliveries of the Russian gas to the Italian market. Standard items will increase stage by stage up to 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year till 2010.
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