Russia PM backs idea of gas pipeline running along ESPO

NERYUNGRI (Yakutia), March 13 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said he backed an idea of building a gas pipeline running in parallel with the Eastern Siberian-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) oil pipeline.

“I regard it positively,” he said at meeting over the ESPO project in Yakutia on Tuesday.

Fradkov said that the implementation of the project should be based on tasks of developing economies of regions through the ESPO pipeline runs.

“We plan both the gas pipeline and the development of subsoil resources in prospect,” he said.

The prime minister demanded a tighter control the compliance with license agreements by subsoil users operating in Eastern Siberia.

“The tempo of this work does not suit us – organisational measures, checks are needed, it is necessary that all stand on head,” he said.

Fradkov added that terms of license agreements must be rigorously met where they concern the schedule of exploration and the development of deposits.

“There must not be unscrupulous subsoil users in it,” he said.

Resource: ITAR-TASS.