BaselCement approached Gazprom for the acquisition of a gas pipeline connecting the main gas system to the company's plant in Pikalevo. This deal would reduce BaselCement-Pikalevo's loss and add stability to the whole Pikalevo-based complex, BaselCement informed.
From the Pikalevo gas distribution station, gas reaches the plant via a gas pipeline less than 1 km long owned by Lenoblgaz. Facing payments of almost RUB 200 million for the gas transmission services this year, BaselCement-Pikalevo is ready to buy out this gas pipeline from Lenoblgaz at a depreciated value ('book value') or to build a new line. This decision will help restore financial and economic stability of BaselCement-Pikalevo currently operating below the break-even point due to the lower government subsidies and its business partners' monopolistic pressure.
"We estimate investments in a greenfield gas pipeline at less than RUB 30 million, with insignificant maintenance costs," Vyacheslav Shmatov, CEO of BaselCement LLC, points out. "BaselCement-Pikalevo owns an in-house gas distribution network more than 2 km long, including a maintenance team with decades of successful operational experience. Therefore, whether the project of increasing our gas supply efficiency and improving heat supply to Pikalyovo residents will be successfully implemented solely depends on Gazprom's consent."
BaselCement-Pikalevo is the largest industrial gas consumer in Leningrad region, fuel expenses accounting for more than 40% of its budget: in 2012, fuel consumption reached 640 million cubic meters of gas for a total of RUB 2.3 billion. This year, fuel expenses are projected at RUB 2.6 billion (the annual price growth being about 15%).
BaselCement-Pikalevo, part of the BaselCement holding since 2008, mainly produces alumina, alumina hydrate and limestone. Also, it supplies belite/nepheline slime and carbonate solution (alumina by-products) to two neighboring enterprises, CJSC Pikalevsky Cement (EUROCEMENT Group) and CJSC Pikalevskaya Soda (PhosAgro).
BaselCement LLC (tax number: 7705744234) specializes in the production of cement, rubble, lime, bentonite gel powders. Its existing capacities are about 1.8 million tonnes of cement, 540 thousand tonnes of lime, 250 thousand tonnes of alumina, 60 thousand tonnes of bentonite gel powders per annum.
AK&M "M&A Market"
"AK&M", 11.03.2013 16:15
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