OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2009. Gazprom’s delegation led by Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Company’s Management Committee has finalized its business trip to the Northwestern region.

In Saint Petersburg Gazprom’s delegation visited Krylov Shipbuilding Research Institute and got acquainted with its unique laboratories, the latest research developments and the test base.

Alexander Ananenkov held a meeting on the placement of Gazprom’s orders with Russian shipbuilding companies to create marine equipment for offshore areas development and liquefied and compressed natural gas transportation, as well as vessels for constructing offshore gas pipelines.

Taking part in the meeting were heads and experts from Gazprom’s specialized subdivisions and subsidiaries – Gazprom dobycha shelf, Gazflot, Giprospetsgaz, Gazprom komplektatsiya, Yamalgazinvest, as well as United Industrial Corporation, Vyborg Shipyard, Krylov Shipbuilding Research Institute and Mezhregiontruboprovodstroy.

The meeting participants discussed the mutual efforts on launching in Russia the construction of methane carriers including for LNG transportation from the Shtokman project. In particular, negotiations with Russian shipbuilders had been conducted and framework agreements had been elaborated with regard to LNG carriers construction until 2020.

Representatives of the shipbuilding industry submitted information concerning the plans to create at Russian plants the appropriate capacities that would construct methane carriers for Gazprom with the cargo capacity exceeding 155,000 cubic meters and 215,000 cubic meters.

Based on the meeting results Gazprom’s specialized subdivisions and subsidiaries were engaged with the tasks on furthering the cooperation between the Company and Russian shipbuilders.