RUSSIAN GAS SUPPLIES TO ARMENIA RESUMED AFTER PIPELINE REPAIR

RIA Novosti
10:03 | 13/ 01/ 2009

YEREVAN/TBILISI, January 13 (RIA Novosti) – Russian gas deliveries to
Armenia via Georgia, suspended on January 9 for repair work to the
pipeline, resumed late on Monday, a spokesman for the ArmRosgazprom
joint venture said on Tuesday.

"Repair work to the pipeline has been completed, and gas supplies
to Armenia resumed at about 07:00 p.m. local time (03:00 p.m. GMT)
on Monday," he said.

The resumption of gas supplies to Armenia was confirmed by the Georgian
oil and gas corporation.

"Supplies were suspended due to technical problems caused by a serious
gas leak from a corrosive pipe. Workers kept their promise to repair
the damaged section within five days," the spokesman said.

Armenia currently consumes 8.5 million-9 million cubic meters of gas
daily, an ArmRosgazprom spokeswoman, Shushan Sardaryan, said, adding
that underground gas storage facilities had been used to supply gas
during the repair work.

The Armenian-Russian joint gas venture, ArmRosgazprom, has a monopoly
on Russian gas supplies and distribution in Armenia.

Russian energy giant Gazprom controls 75.55% in the joint venture,
the Armenian government holds a 20% stake, and Russia’s Itera company
another 4.44%.