Welcome addresses

Vitaly A. Markelov

Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee, Gazprom PJSC

Chairman of GTS 2019 Organizing Committee

Dear colleagues and guests!

Welcome to the VIII International Conference «Gas Transportation Systems: Present and Future».

Gazprom PJSC has the world's largest gas transportation system, which is a unique technological complex including gas extraction, transportation, storage, distribution and processing facilities. This system ensures continuous supply of gas from the well to the end user.

Gazprom's gas transportation system has been steadily growing. We are building new gas transportation capacities to improve reliability of gas delivery, develop gas supply and gas infrastructure in Russian regions, and fulfill our export obligations.

Active construction of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline in the promising area of gas supply development in the Asia-Pacific region is underway. It will transport gas from the Irkutsk and Yakutsk gas extraction centers to Russian consumers in the Far East and to China (the Eastern Route).

In the north, the well-known Nord Stream 2 project is in progress. It is aimed at increasing flexibility and reliability of the Russian gas supplies to Europe. This is a strategically important project for European gas consumers and Gazprom PJSC.

The Turkish Stream project expected to improve reliability of gas supply to Turkey, as well as south and Southeast Europe, is also nearing completion.

All Gazprom's gas pipeline construction megaprojects are scientifically and technically justified and are based on developed and introduced cutting-edge technical solutions, advanced materials and equipment that ensure the necessary reliability and safety at all lifecycle stages of the facilities. Special focus is placed on energy efficiency and environmental friendliness of our technological complex.

Pavel Yu. Sorokin

Dear colleagues,

Let me welcome the hosts, participants and guests of the VIII International Conference "Gas Transportation Systems: Present and Future" on behalf of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation.

Over the past few decades, the global gas industry has become one of the most technologically advanced sectors in developed countries. High-tech solutions have reshaped and made it one of the technological leaders in the global economy. Today the rapid growth and fast commissioning is the key prerequisite for increasing and expanding fuel gas extraction and consumption. One of the critical factors predetermining the potential of the industry development is the development of gas transportation systems.

This international Conference is a perfect media for spreading new ideas and technologies, sharing best practices and discussing common issues. Hosted by the Scientific-Research Institute of Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC, it ensures integration of scientific and industrial activities, collaboration of highly qualified specialists engaged in one problematic field.

I wish you fruitful work and fresh ideas.

Grigory V. Trubnikov

Dear friends and colleagues,

On behalf of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, I would like to thank the Organizing Committee for the invitation to the Plenary Session of the VIII International Conference «Gas Transportation Systems: Present and Future»
(GTS — 2019).

The technical sessions and the round tables of the Conference are a great opportunity for the representatives of the Russian and foreign companies and gas transmission experts to professionally discuss challenging industry issues, share modern and promising developments and technologies.

This makes it possible to comprehensively address current and potential issues of managing the technical condition and integrity of the gas transportation system and ensuring the safe operation of gas pipelines, and to identify the key areas of research, materials and technology development, improving and optimizing technical and managerial decisions for the industry as a whole.

All this only stresses the importance of regular GTS conferences. In this regard, we wish the participants, hosts and guests efficient work on the sidelines of the international conference.

P.N. Zavalny

Chairman of the Energy Committee of the State Duma,

President of the Union of Oil and Gas Companies «Russian Gas Society»

Let me welcome and congratulate you on the opening of the VIII International

Conference «Gas Transportation Systems: Present and Future» on behalf of the Energy Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the Union of Oil and Gas Companies «Russian Gas Society».

Having in many respects unique hydrocarbon resources and being a recognized world leader in natural gas extraction and major transportation, Russia has been steadily increasing its export capacity, making a significant contribution to energy security of Eurasia.

Within a very short span of time, the southern gas transportation system has been built, which made it possible to arrange a powerful gas transportation hub in Turkey to supply gas from various exporters through the Balkan countries to Southern and Central Europe; construction of the 11th stage of the North European Gas Pipeline is nearing completion; LNG extraction and supply are being scaled up in the Baltic region and on Sakhalin.

This year, development of major gas condensate fields in Eastern Siberia will also launch and the construction of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline will be completed. It will serve as an initial basis for cluster development of hydrocarbon resources in the area and for Russia to enter the energy markets of Asia-Pacific, as well as global helium and gas chemistry markets.

The achievements mentioned owe much to the constantly developing research and technical capacities and successful experience of the Gazprom Group in the construction and operation of powerful gas transportation systems, which implements cutting-edge scientific ideas and innovative design solutions and technologies in the projects.

The international conference is a media to expand cooperation, activate scientific research, share best practices, scientific research findings, and practical developments on pipeline transport, hydrocarbons storage and distribution issues.

I hope that insightful discussions and constructive dialogues within the framework of the conference and during the social events will contribute to the development of scientific areas in gas transportation systems, strengthen scientific ties and international cooperation.

To sum up, let me sincerely wish all conference participants and guests successful, efficient work, exciting discussions and debates, new ties and business contacts, new achievements, success, happiness and prosperity.