Gazprom and the Orel Oblast Government have signed an agreement on wider use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. The agreement will be effective for an indefinite period of time.

   Pursuant to the document, the parties have agreed to take a set of actions in the region in order to increase the number of utility service, agricultural, and other motor vehicles powered by natural gas. The actions will be synchronized with construction of compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations, multi-fuel filling stations, natural gas vehicle (NGV) conversion and maintenance centers. Synchronized construction and commissioning schedules will be developed by the parties for each CNG and multi-fuel filling station.

   The Orel Oblast Government will facilitate endorsement of the regional legislative acts regulating and promoting the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. It will allocate money from the local budget and other sources in order to expand the NGV fleet, to provide companies with machinery and equipment for NGV operation, as well as to train engineers, technicians and drivers.

   In its turn, Gazprom will arrange construction and operation of NGV infrastructure in the Oblast according to the synchronized schedules. In addition, the company will provide mobile filling facilities for the locations where NGVs are concentrated and specially designated sites are available.

   Gazprom will provide regional NGV operators with regulatory documents and technical specifications, instruct their engineers, technicians and drivers on maintenance rules, as well as assist them in arranging maintenance and repair work.