Updated June 26, 2008

   By 2014 Lukoil plans to increase gas extraction at four fields in Bolshekhetskaya depression in Yamalo-Netets Autonomous District (YaNAD) three times. In the company declare they have already agreed on around 30 billion cu. m. of gas deliveries to the unified gas supply system (UGSS). Gazprom does not confirm its intentions to increase quota for Lukoil. However, the monopoly will meet capacities surplus in this region by that time.

   Lukoil Oil Company head Vagit Alekperov was quoted as saying that the company had agreed with Gazprom about the increase of gas deliveries. "Gazprom consented to receive up to 28 billion cu. m. of gas at Bolshekhetskaya depression, where we are currently extracting around 10 billion", explained a top-manager. In Lukoil specified that by 2014 it planned to increase by maximum the extraction level at Nakhodkinskoe, Yuzhno-Messoyakhskoe, Pyakyakhinskoe and Khalmerpayutinskoe fields. In 2008 Lukoil plans to extract 20 billion cu. m. of gas (in 2007 – 14 billion). The company received around RUR 9 billion for gas it had sold in 2007, and RUR 7 billion among which – from Gazprom.

   In Gazprom refused to comment the possibility of Lukoil deliveries increase. However, a source in the monopoly says that no official documents have been signed yet, and he has not heard about analogical agreement. In Lukoil explained that "at the moment the agreement is preliminary and oral".

   The monopoly has always reluctantly transferred gas of other independent producers through its pipe. Federal Antimonopoly Service has several times taken proceedings against Gazprom over discrimination concerning transfer through its pipe at requests of Novatek, Northgas and Rospan International (consolidated by TNK-BP). So, Rospan has been constantly complaining that over Gazprom refusal to transfer gas through the pipeline the company has to reduce extraction. The monopoly had set quota for UGSS gas transfer in 2008 for Rospan at 1,2 billion cu.m. level, while it declared it could extract more than 3 billion cu. m. Then Gazprom has suddenly consented to take 2,5 billion cu. m. – TNK-BP and Mezhregiongaz have established a joint venture to sale Rospan gas.

   At the same time Vitaly Kryukov from Capital Investment Company considers that by 2014 Gazprom will have enough capacities to transfer the increasing gas volumes of independent producers. "By 2014 will be constructed the new gas pipeline Bovanenkovo-Ukhta through which will be transferred gas from prospective Yamal fields, therefore the gas extraction center will gradually move from Western Siberia to Yamal, and gas extraction at the traditional Gazprom fields will go down", an analyst explains. "This should provide independent producers with capacities that operate in Western Siberia". In an analyst opinion, by this time the gas sale price to Gazprom can total around RUR 3 000 (now it is around RUR 1 100). East European Gas Analysis head Mikhael Korchemkin marks that by 2014 extraction at Gazprom old fields in Nadym-Pur-Tazovskij region falls by 100-120 billion cu. m. of gas a year in terms of natural reserves depletion mainly. However, in an expert opinion, it would be more reasonable for independent producers to construct their own gas pipeline instead of Gazprom to invest in "independent" gas transportation. Investment program reduction at keeping high sales plans is the best acceleration for Gazprom capitalization growth, as Mr. Korchemkin considers.