MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti) - According to the forecasts of the Russian leading gas company Gazprom, this year the gas monopolist will issue permits to the so-called independent suppliers for pumping gas through its pipe to the amount of 110-120 billion cubic meters, a spokesman for the company's mass media relations department told RIA Novosti.
"Last year, 35 independent organizations received permits for delivering gas to the amount of 110.4 cubic meters," the company's spokesman said.
The access of the independent gas producers to the Gazprom gas transportation system has been practiced since 1998 when six permits were issued to independent organizations to a total amount of transportation of 28.2 billion cubic meters. Since that time the number of independent suppliers which have access to the Gazprom pipe has been growing: 10 - in 1999, 20 - in 2000, 24 - in 2001 and 33 - in 2002.
