Russia’s Gazprom may limit natural gas exports to Georgia

Russia’s Gazprom may limit natural gas exports to Georgia

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
June 15, 2004

MOSCOW, June 15 (Prime-Tass) — Russia’s natural gas monopoly Gazprom
may limit natural gas exports to Georgia, Deputy Chairman of the
company’s board of directors Alexander Ryazanov told a briefing
Tuesday.

According to Ryazanov, Georgia’s current debt for Russian gas exports
amounts to U.S. USD 12 million.

Although the Georgian government promised Gazprom to work out a
payment system for the current gas supplies, no relevant documents
have been signed so far, Ryazanov said

Ryazanov said that Gazprom plans to hold talks with the Georgian
government this week on the issue.

He also said that Gazprom is interested in setting up a joint venture
in Georgia but Georgia did not accept this offer.

According to Ryazanov the joint venture could help to modernize the
country’s transportation system.

Gazprom is interested in the upgrade of Georgia’s gas transportation
system because it is essential for Russian gas transit to Armenia.

On May 25 Georgia’s Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said that Georgia
intended to pay 50% of its debt to Russia for natural gas exports
by mid-autumn.

In 2004 Gazexport, Gazprom’s exports sales arm, accounted for 100%
of gas supplies to Georgia.

Tbilgaz’ total debt to Gazprom stood at USD 7.4 million as of March 10.

Georgia imports about 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas annually. End