MOSCOW — The formation of Russia's unified pipeline system will be completed by 2009, the PR center of the industry and energy ministry has reported with reference to industry and energy minister Viktor Khristenko. The minister noted that as a result of the building of an oil pipeline from Eastern Siberia to the Pacific Ocean, a nationwide pipeline system would be created. He emphasized that, without this system, it would be impossible to achieve such strategic goals as integral development of regions and diversification of fuel export routes. "As the new project is implemented in accordance with Russia's energy strategy, we will be able to fully meet the needs of oil companies for increasing the capacity of the fuel and energy industries' infrastructures," Khristenko said.

As reported earlier, on April 26, 2005, Khristenko signed an order to determine the timetable for laying an oil pipeline from Eastern Siberia to the Pacific Ocean. The pipeline's overall capacity will reach 80m tons a year.