Russia, Poland ink gas deal through 2037

MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Russian energy giant Gazprom and Poland's PGNiG signed agreements to increase gas supplies for Poland in a contract extending nearly 30 years.

Both companies agreed to a contract that increases the volume of natural gas from Russia to Poland until 2037, Gazprom announced.

Poland consumes around 483 billion cubic feet of natural gas each year. Its domestic production capacity can satisfy only 30 percent of that demand, however.

Russian natural gas is exported to Poland through a 425-mile section of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline. Gazprom exported close to 280 billion cubic feet of gas to Poland in 2009.

Both companies also settled lingering disputes over gas transit fees and management.

The relationship between Poland and Russia in the gas sector is governed by an intergovernmental agreement signed in 1993.