Belarus is ready to increase gas transit to Kaliningrad region

Belarus is technically ready to increase the volume of gas transit to Kaliningrad region, reported general director of JSC “Beltransgaz” Bladimir Maiorov.

Belarus is technically ready to increase the volume of gas transit to Kaliningrad region, reported general director of JSC “Beltransgaz” Bladimir Maiorov.

According to him, throughput capacity of the gas pipeline “Minsk – Vilnius – Kaliningrad” can be increased. Kaliningrad region consumes 1-1.5 billion cubic metres of gas per annum. Gas demand of its industrial enterprises is growing. Moreover, electrogenerating enterprises of the region are actively developing. It is projected that in 2010-2011 the region will consume 2.5 billion cubic metres pre annum.

In order to increase the volume of gas transport, Belarus, Lithuania and Kaliningrad region have made a number of technical preparations.

Lithuania has built a parallel segment of the gas pipeline. Besides that, an additional compressor station is to be built. Belarusian specialists have made an extra diagnosis of the gas pipeline and replaced some of the equipment. “For Belarusian part, everything is ready in order to increase gas transit to Kaliningrad region,” noted Vladimir Maiorov.

In addition, general director of JSC “Beltransgaz” reported that as of January 1^st, 2010 the Republic of Belarus has no dept payments for gas to “Gazprom”.

At present the contract between Belarus and JSC “Gazprom” for 2007-2011 remains valid. Belarus is interested in negotiating a contract till the year 2020. “In 2011 we are going to renew the contract for the years 2012-2020,” reported Vladimir Maiorov.