GAS CONSUMPTION DECLINES IN ENERGY SECTOR AND INDUSTRY

Noyan Tapan
May 22 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. In the first quarter of 2006, 508.7 mln
cubic meters of natural gas was sold in Armenia, or by 22.72 mln cubic
meters less than in the same period of last year. The gas consumption
by the population grew by 39.43 mln c.m. on the first quarter of 2005,
while gas consumption in the energy sector and industry declined by
66.38 mln c.m. and 11.56 mln c.m.

Director General of ArmRusgazprom company Karen Karapetian
stated this at the May 22 round table at the Clib of Economic
Journalists. According to him, the gas payment collection for last
year made up 105% or 26.2 bln drams (about 59 mln USD), with 10.4 bln
drams of this sum being transferred to the state budget, and 5.8 bln
drams – allocated for operational costs. 8.7 bln drams was invested
in the system last year: for extension of the distribution network,
increasing the number of users, etc. Approximately the same amount
will be invested this year. It was noted that over the last three
years, about 60 mln USD has been invested in ArmRusgazprom’s system.