23 Million Euros Needed for Upgrading Abovyan Gas Storehouse

A 23 million euros worth project for upgrading an underground natural gas storehouse in the town of Abovian, some 20 off the capital Yerevan, developed by HayRusGazArd company, the sole supplier of Russian gas to Armenia, was praised highly by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and participants of a round table, held on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of INOGATE program.

Edward Nersisian, head of HayRusGazArds department for external relations, told Armenpress the underground storehouse is of key importance for Armenia in terms of its safe gas supply and energy independence and “is no less important than the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline the construction of which is supposed to start later this year.

The upgraded storehouse will be able to store some 200 million cubic meters of gas, while today it can contain only 80 million. In case of securing the necessary funds the upgrading will be over in 2-3 years. Nersisian said a mobile station for quick repair of breaks on the pipeline is expected to come to Armenia as part of INOGATE’s 2004 program.