The annual natural gas import in the region has been going up steadily from 15.3 billion cubic meters in 1999 to 18.1 billion cubic meters in 2005, and 120 to 150 new natural gas consumers requiring 600 to 800 million cubic meters a year are likely to emerge in the Mid-Urals within the next two years.

The agreement between Sverdlovsk Region Government and ITERA Holding PLC states that the regional consumers should receive 71 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the years 2005-2008. Yet the consumption forecast indicates that people are going to need 4.8 billion cubic meters more than this since 265 new consumers consuming over 1 billion cubic meters of gas have appeared within the last seven years.

These and related issues were discussed at the meeting of Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Eduard Rossel and ITERA Holding PLC Chair of the Board Igor Makarov on January 19, reports Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Information Department.