OREANDA-NEWS. On 03 February 2009 was announced, that this year's first gas facility launching ceremony was held in the village of Malye Karzi in the Artinsk District of the Sverdlovsk Region.  CJSC Gasmontazh (a business of GAZEKS holding company, CJSC Integrated Energy Systems) completed the construction of an inter-village gas pipeline connecting Sazhino and Ilchigulovo via Malye Karzi as early as September 2008. It wasn't until January 2009 that the first gas supplies to consumers became possible.

The Sazhino-Ilchigulovo inter-village main gas pipeline was constructed in two stages. Its total length is 31.5 kilometers, while the project's cost amounts to RUR 80 million. The pipeline was laid through seven villages of the Artinsk District, thus bringing the living standards of their 5,000 residents up to a higher level.

"I congratulate you on the arrival of natural gas", Sverdlovsk Region's Governor Eduard Rossel addressed the participants in the launching ceremony. "The gasification rates in our region are growing, we have constructed 500 kilometers of gas pipelines. From ten to twelve villages are gasified in each district annually. This is the implementation of the gasification program and the Urals Village program. We thank the constructors, who have not only met the deadline, but also build in advance using their own funds, the regional budget is behind the settlements schedule. And this must be continued - building outdoor gas pipelines, connecting residents to gas supplies".

As noted by GAZEKS CEO Denis Pasler, "Our holding company constructs gas distribution networks all over the region, and we can see how the arrival of natural gas changes the life in rural areas. Gas brings heat to houses, considerably alleviates household cares, opens new horizons for rural business development. The Artinsk District is an example of efficient gasification. And in 2009, GAZEKS will continue network construction both at its own expense and within the framework of regional programs".

The first consumers in the village of Malye Karzi, who amid the Epiphany frosts (it was as cold as minus 30°C in the Artinsk District) were comfortable in their warm houses and cooked on gas stoves, thanked the regional authorities and the gas engineers with home-made cakes and humorous folk songs about the need to have gas in every house.