Support The Moscow Times!

Gazprom to Boost Investment by 5% in 2010

Gazprom will increase its investment program next year by 5 percent to 802 billion rubles ($27.94 billion), a source close to the company said on Thursday.

The investments will rise from 761.5 billion rubles earmarked for this year, of which 483.5 billion was classed as capex.

The company's investment program includes both capex and so-called longer-term investments. The source declined to break down the total figure.

"Next year it will rise to 802 billion rubles," the source said about Gazprom's investment program, which is usually revised several times during the course of the year depending on market conditions.

Another source said the decision was taken at a management meeting on Wednesday, while a Gazprom spokesman declined to comment on the report.

Analysts are closely watching the whopping costs of the world's largest gas firm and have criticized the company for spending too much.

In September, Gazprom said it would cut its investment program for 2009 by almost $5 billion to 761.53 billion rubles as the global economic downturn bit and demand for gas fell.

The company will need extra money next year as it prepares to implement ambitious projects including the Nord Stream pipeline to Europe beneath the Baltic Sea and a gas link to the Pacific port of Vladivostok, as well as the development of Yamal Arctic fields.

Gazprom plans to start building the subsea portion of Nord Stream in 2010 after Sweden and Finland recently approved construction in their territorial waters.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more