SALEKHARD, Russia, July 21 (UPI) -- More than 80 percent of a pipeline meant for a gas production center in northern Russia is welded to form part of the country's new era in energy, Gazprom said.
Alexander Ananenkov, deputy chairman of Russian gas company Gazprom, led a delegation to the Yamal-Nenets region in northern Russia.
"In Vorkuta Gazprom's officials inspected construction sites of the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta gas trunkline system, a key element of the new gas transmission system intended for the Yamal gas delivery into Russia's Unified Gas Supply System," the company said in a statement.
The delegation heard that 609 miles of the more than 745 miles of Bovanenkovo-Ukhta were welded together.
Gazprom said construction on the first string of the gas transmission system could be completed by the end of the year. Gas supplies could reach consumers by late 2012.
"The Yamal gas production center creation and the gas transmission system construction will open a new page in the history of the Russian gas industry," the company said. "The Yamal fields will help significantly build up gas production that is especially important against the backdrop of soaring gas demand both is Russia and abroad."
