40th anniversary of gas supply to Austria

April 17, 2008

Today is the 40th anniversary of the signing of export contracts for Russian gas supply to Austria. A reliable and responsible partnership between Gazprom and Austria's state owned OMV has been a guarantee for uninterrupted energy supply to Austria and a crucial element of overall European energy security.

OMV was the first Western company to conclude in 1968 a long-term contract for gas deliveries from the USSR to Europe. Today, the companies cooperate not only when supplying and transporting gas but also when implementing underground gas storage projects in Austria and neighboring countries as well as expanding the Baumgarten gas distribution center. The Central European Gas Hub at Baumgarten with 50 per cent of the shares owned by Gazprom is presently one the three largest gas distribution centers in Europe and represents an international gas trading platform.