NGV fuel market development discussed in Ufa

Within the framework of the Russian Petrochemical Forum, a round table was held, which discussed the development of the gas motor fuel market in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, PJSC Gazprom and the company's subsidiaries, higher education institutions, regional carriers, manufacturers of compressor units, heads of municipalities of the republic, and other interested parties took part in the discussion of the prospects for the use of natural gas in regional transport.

“Bashkortostan ranks second in the number of CNG filling compressor stations and sixth in CNG consumption in Russia. The republic has good prospects for further expansion of the network. And we have gathered here to discuss the development of the gas motor fuel market in the region,” said Timur Gerasimov, First Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Innovation of the Republic of Bashkortostan, starting the round table.

He also said that the republic’s budget includes funds for the construction of automobile gas-filling compressor stations, points for the re-equipment of vehicles, and other objects of gas engine infrastructure. This suggests that this industry area is a priority for the region’s leadership.

Alexander Mikhailov, Deputy Head of the Department of PJSC Gazprom, spoke about the activities of the global energy company to create favorable conditions for further expansion of the use of natural gas in transport.

“Following the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, since 2013, Gazprom has been actively working to develop the NGV market. Considering that the cost of vehicles running on gas motor fuel is more expensive than cars using traditional fuel types, the support measures provided by the state are beneficial and allow developing the gas motor fuel market,” Alexander Evgenievich noted.

The company does not intend to be limited only to road transport. Gazprom's long-term plans include the transfer of railway and water transport, as well as agricultural equipment to use natural gas as a fuel.

Further discussions were held on constructing new CNG filling stations, purchasing vehicles with gas-balloon equipment, and converting the existing vehicle fleet to methane. Representatives of the administrations of the Iglinsky, Belebeevsky, and Tuimazinsky districts and the city of Neftekamsk, who participated in the round table, said they were ready to provide the necessary support in the construction of CNG filling compressor stations.

The Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Bashkortostan Aibulat Khazhin and the rector of the Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, Oleg Baulin, spoke about the prospects for training specialists in the re-equipment and maintenance of gas-cylinder vehicles based on secondary vocational and higher educational institutions of the republic.

A rich and constructive dialogue took place during the round table. The round table participants agreed that consolidation of all participants in the gas motor fuel market is required to achieve maximum results.