Russia's Gazprom is looking to step up efforts to develop the use of natural gas as vehicle fuel in the country.
Gas sales at Gazprom's CNG stations have consistently increased, amounting to 436 million cubic meters in 2015, 7.3% higher than in 2014, it reported adding that sales growth rate is expected to exceed 17% in 2016.
The company is currently developing a CNG filling network, and collaborating with major motor manufacturers on issues regarding the production of gas-fueled cars.
It is also interacting "with authorities on issues regarding the support for the NGV sector” Gazprom said.
In early 2016, there were over 270 CNG stations in operation across Russia, with 209 owned by Gazprom. Moreover, this year, the Company put into operation 19 new stations, with other 16 stations to be built and 4 stations to be reconstructed by the year's end, thus bringing the total number of stations to 244.
Moreover, Gazprom is implementing a program for the gas conversion of its corporate vehicles. The current share of NGVs in the Group's vehicle fleet is 26%, it said, adding that it “plans to greatly expand that share in the medium term.”
Gazprom has saved a total of RUB 1.3 billion over the period from 2014 through October 2016, due to the substitution of liquefied vehicle fuel for gas vehicle fuel, it explained.
In addition, Gazprom is looking at developing an infrastructure to produce and use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a vehicle fuel. As part of that, it has adopted a program for small-scale LNG production and use.