Banatski Dvor to be filled, says Srbijagas boss

Srbijagas CEO Dusan Bajatovic says that an agreement has been reached with Gazprom to fill the Banatski Dvor storage facility. Addressing the opening of a three-day economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russian President Dmity Medvedev called on forum participants to contribute to the creation of “a new architecture of financial security.” Banatski Dvor to be filled, says Srbijagas boss Serbia is being represented at the forum by Interior and Energy Ministers Ivica Dacic and Petar Skundric, along with Bajatovic. The Serbian delegation used the forum to discuss Banatski Dvor with Gazprom officials . Bajatovic said that technical teams would begin work on a feasibility study on the South Stream pipeline next week. According to the Srbijagas CEO, the Serbian delegation had reached an agreement to begin filling the Banatski Dvor storage facility soon. “It is obvious that the most important thing agreed on today is related to Banatski Dvor, which will be finished in a technical sense and filled. So, we will not have anything to worry about in terms of gas shortages in the coming heating season , as we did last year in January,” Bajatovic said. After meeting with Bajatovic, Gazprom boss Alexei Miller said that there was no doubt that gas could be put into the Banatski Dvor facility now, and that all other questions related to the facility could be addressed later. “As far as Banatski Dvor is concerned, we agreed to draw up an agreement on basic conditions related to the project, and I think that we will be able to sign that document next week. This document will be the basis for taking a final investment decision for the project,” Miller said. As far as South Stream is concerned, Bajatovic said that strategic cooperation in this project was moving along as envisaged by the agreement. “Next week the technical teams will begin work on a feasibility study. Also, by the end of June or early July, the joint company will be registered, so everything is going according to plan,” the Srbijagas CEO said. According to Miller, talks had been held with the Serbian delegation regarding owner relations in the joint Jugorosgas company. “Gazprom’s view is that we have nothing against Srbijagas buying the remaining 24 percent, as long as its holding in Jugorosgas is 49 percent in the end,” the Gazprom boss said. He also announced the possibility of Gazprom Bank entering the Serbian market, something that had also been discussed at the meeting, while, according to Bajatovic, it was important that concrete talks on the arrival of Russian capital in Serbia had begun. The Srbijagas CEO said that talks were under way for investments in Pancevo-based Petrohemija and Azotar, as those were companies which used gas as raw materials, and a strategic partnership with them would be welcomed. The summit in St. Petersburg will run until June 6, with senior officials in the international energy, banking and business sectors in attendance, together with officials from leading wheat-producing companies. Bajatovic, Miller meeting yesterday (FoNet)

Banatski Dvor to be filled, says Srbijagas boss

Serbia is being represented at the forum by Interior and Energy Ministers Ivica Dačić and Petar Škundrić, along with Bajatović.

The Serbian delegation used the forum to discuss Banatski Dvor with Gazprom officials .

Bajatović said that technical teams would begin work on a feasibility study on the South Stream pipeline next week.

According to the Srbijagas CEO, the Serbian delegation had reached an agreement to begin filling the Banatski Dvor storage facility soon.

“It is obvious that the most important thing agreed on today is related to Banatski Dvor, which will be finished in a technical sense and filled. So, we will not have anything to worry about in terms of gas shortages in the coming heating season , as we did last year in January,” Bajatović said.

After meeting with Bajatović, Gazprom boss Alexei Miller said that there was no doubt that gas could be put into the Banatski Dvor facility now, and that all other questions related to the facility could be addressed later.

“As far as Banatski Dvor is concerned, we agreed to draw up an agreement on basic conditions related to the project, and I think that we will be able to sign that document next week. This document will be the basis for taking a final investment decision for the project,” Miller said.

As far as South Stream is concerned, Bajatović said that strategic cooperation in this project was moving along as envisaged by the agreement.

“Next week the technical teams will begin work on a feasibility study. Also, by the end of June or early July, the joint company will be registered, so everything is going according to plan,” the Srbijagas CEO said.

According to Miller, talks had been held with the Serbian delegation regarding owner relations in the joint Jugorosgas company.

“Gazprom’s view is that we have nothing against Srbijagas buying the remaining 24 percent, as long as its holding in Jugorosgas is 49 percent in the end,” the Gazprom boss said.

He also announced the possibility of Gazprom Bank entering the Serbian market, something that had also been discussed at the meeting, while, according to Bajatović, it was important that concrete talks on the arrival of Russian capital in Serbia had begun.

The Srbijagas CEO said that talks were under way for investments in Pančevo-based Petrohemija and Azotar, as those were companies which used gas as raw materials, and a strategic partnership with them would be welcomed.

The summit in St. Petersburg will run until June 6, with senior officials in the international energy, banking and business sectors in attendance, together with officials from leading wheat-producing companies.