Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered the government and the country's gas giant Gazprom to work on allowing access to pipelines for independent producers.
"I am asking the Energy Ministry and Gazprom to work on possible priority access to pipeline facilities for all independent producers," Putin told a government meeting on the development of the energy industry, adding that the decision must be taken quickly.
He said it was necessary for long-term contracts for infrastructure facilities.
"How can they invest and build if they are not sure of gas supplies?" Putin said.
ST. PETERSBURG, February 9 (RIA Novosti)