Gazprom Gas Sales Climb, Russia

Gazprom of Russia said its net sales of gas increased by RUB 244,291 million, or 20%, to RUB 1,488,417 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013 net sales of gas to Europe and other countries increased by RUB 93,103 million, or 13%, to RUB 824,419 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012. This change was primarily due to increase in volumes of gas sold by 10%, or 7.6 bcm, which was reinforced by the increase in average realized prices in RUB terms (including customs duties) by 3%.

Retroactive gas price adjustments were recognized in the consolidated interim condensed financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2013 as an increase in sales in the amount of RUB 73,430 million reflecting a decrease in previously accrued liability. In the consolidated interim condensed financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2012 effect of retroactive gas price adjustment, related to gas deliveries in the years 2010 and 2011, amounted to RUB 133,186 million decrease in sales.

Net sales of gas to FSU countries decreased by RUB 77,140 million, or 30%, to RUB 179,555 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease in sales in this segment is explained by the decrease in volumes of gas sold by 18%, or 5.9 bcm, which was partially reinforced by the decrease in average realized prices in RUB terms (including customs duties) by 14%.

Net sales of gas in the domestic market increased by RUB 21,712 million, or 6%, to RUB 411,013 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012. This is explained primarily by the increase in the average domestic price for gas by 14%, which was partially compensated by the decrease in volumes of gas sold by 7%, or 10.7 bcm.

In the six months ended June 30, 2013 net gas transportation sales increased by RUB 20,216 million, or 34%, to RUB 80,495 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase in net gas transportation sales was primarily due to an increase in volumes of gas transportation services rendered to independent gas suppliers and an increase in gas transportation tariffs.

Operating expenses increased by RUB 112,277 million, or 7%, to RUB 1,718,884 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Major item in the total amount of operating expenses is «Purchased gas and oil» which increased by RUB 1,717 million, or 0%. Cost of purchased gas, included in «Purchased gas and oil», increased by RUB 12,145 million, or 5%. This increase mainly relates to the growth in prices of gas purchased from third parties inside and outside of the Russian Federation. Cost of purchased oil, included in «Purchased gas and oil», decreased by RUB 10,428 million, or 9%, to RUB 99,595 million in the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to RUB 110,023 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012.

In the six months ended June 30, 2013 profit for the period attributable to owners of OAO Gazprom totaled RUB 582,683 million which is RUB 65,286 million, or 13%, higher compared to the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Net debt balance (defined as the sum of short-term borrowings, current portion of long-term borrowings, short-term promissory notes payable, long-term borrowings and long-term promissory notes payable, net of cash and cash equivalents and balances of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal under the terms of certain borrowings and other contractual obligations) decreased by RUB 164,785 million, or 15%, from RUB 1,071,214 million as of December 31, 2012 to RUB 906,429 million as of June 30, 2013. This decrease resulted from increase in cash and cash equivalents.

1 Russian ruble = 0.03053 U.S. dollars

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LNG World News Staff, November 14, 2013; Image: Gazprom