Congratulations from Sergey Bozhenov

Esteemed Mr. Miller!

With all my heart I would like to congratulate you on a significant event – the 20^th anniversary of Gazprom Open Joint Stock Company.

Throughout its existence the Company has proven its great significance for the Russian economy, enhancement of the country’s energy security and development of each and every Russian region.

For many years the Volgograd Region has been successfully cooperating with Gazprom Transgaz Volgograd which delivers over 90 billion cubic meters of gas to Southern and Central Russia as well as and to Europe. Almost 6 billion out of this amount are consumed by the Region.

The Volgograd Region citizens have never had and will never have any reasons to doubt the stability of this company which successfully performs its main tasks: maintaining the gas transmission system in operational state and securing uninterrupted gas supplies to consumers.

For six years now Gazprom has been a reliable partner of the Volgograd Region Administration in resolving the issues of gas supply to rural locations. In 2011 alone the Company allotted RUB 4 billion to the regional synchronization schedule, whereas in 2012 the volume of investments rose to RUB 7 billion. In 2012 these funds were used to construct 68 gas facilities and lay 125 inter-settlement gas pipelines with the total length of 500 kilometers.

The largest underground gas storage facility in Europe is currently under construction in the Volgograd Region. The commissioning of this facility will enable to prevent the ‘blue fuel’ shortage during extremely cold periods as well as make up the deficiency of gas limits.

Gazprom Transgaz Volgograd was a member of one of Gazprom’s major international strategic projects – the South Stream gas pipeline, 485 kilometers of which will be laid in the Volgograd Region. The Regional Administration will do its best to help its business partner gradually meet the set objective well and within the specified timeframe.

The Volgograd Region citizens are grateful to Gazprom for the opportunity it provided to hundreds of thousands of boys and girls to participate in sports or creative activities. From 2007 to 2012 Gazprom Transgaz Volgograd constructed 12 versatile children’s playgrounds in the Volgograd Region.

I wish Gazprom to retain for many years its title of the most professional Russian team able to face any challenges!

With all my heart I wish all of you health and new working achievements for the benefit of our great country!

Sergey Bozhenov

Governor of the Volgograd Region