UC RUSAL and Gazprom Neft signed long-term coke supply contract

UC RUSAL, world's largest aluminum producer, and JSC Gazprom Neft announced signing of the five-year supply contract for up to 1,000,000 tons of electrode petroleum coke. The contract comes into effect on 1 January 2012.

The coke is to be supplied by Omsk Refinery (Gazprom Neft subsidiary). It is the first long-term supply contract between the parties, the previous contracts did not exceed two years. The deal will provide stable high-quality coke supply for RUSAL and long-term committed sales for Gazprom Neft.

In mid-term perspective Gazprom Neft plans to upgrade Omsk Refinery coke production facilities. The company now considers raising coke production efficiency and constructing new capacities.

Pavel Ovchinnikov, Commercial Director of UC RUSAL, said: “Gazprom Neft is our proved and reliable partner owing best-in-class technologies. Broadening cooperation with the strategic partner on high-quality production supplies opens new opportunities for RUSAL. Regarding our production expansion plans this contract will be an important supply chain element for our green fields — Boguchansk and Taishet aluminum smelters”.

Levan Kadagidze, Gazprom Neft Director of the Commercial Directorate, said: “The long-term contract with RUSAL, Gazprom Neft's strategic coke supply partner, provides the company with the efficient and guaranteed distribution channel for this product and proves parties' commitment to mutually advantageous cooperation”.

For information: petroleum coke is used in aluminum industry for anode manufacturing.