Gazprom is given the right to use the Khandinsk federal subsoil area.

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian Prime Minister, signed a decree granting "Gazprom" right to use the Khandinsk subsoil area of federal significance in the Irkutsk region for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons, the press service of the government states.

According to the Government Regulation of 24th April the Khandinsk region including part of the the Kovykta deposit (the Khandinsk area), was added to the list of subsoil plots of federal significance, provided for use without the auctions.