Russian President Vladimir Putin launched Gazprom's new Bovanenkovo-Ukhta-2 trunk gas pipeline and the Transneft Zapolyarye-Purpe oil pipeline on the Yamal Peninsula via teleconference.

President Putin stressed that entirely new engineering solutions and the most sophisticated Russian-made equipment had been used in the project, and that the most stringent environmental standards had been taken into account.

On the whole, these projects embody the highest professional standards, he said.

These new major industrial facilities will expand the potential of Russia's oil and gas sector, will benefit the national economy and will promote future development in the country's regions, President Putin noted.