Russia is the World  natural gas  (NG) leader. It possesses 27% of all proven  natural gas reserves of the world. A unique gas transportation system was created in Russia.  The length of NG main pipe lines  is 154  thousand kilometers,  and there are 478 thousand kilometers of  pipes in gas distribution network. About 1500 large and small cities and 22 thousand are supplied with NG. Every year 10-12 thousand kilometers of gas distribution network pipes are laid in the countryside. All these factors create conditions for  introduction of compressed natural gas ( CNG) as a motor fuel for agricultural machinery.

The only economic stimulus for such a measure is the Federal Government decree, dated 14^th of January, 1993, “On urgent measures to substitute motor fuels with natural gas”. This Act regulates the maximum of NG price for motor fuel purposes. It must not exceed 50% of the cheapest  low octane AI-80 petrol  price in  a  region – a subject of a Russian federation.

In Tomsk region ( Western Siberia) the work to to substitute traditional liquid  motor fuels with natural gas has began as early as in the beginning of 90-th of the last century when “TomskTransGas” Company  converted for gas fuel its own vehicles and began to build gas fuelling stations.

In February, 2007, the Governor of  Tomck Region signed a regulation #11 “ On  creation of conditions for the development of autogas fuels market and on the development of auto  gas refueling  stations network”.  Within the framework of this Regulation  a special company was incorporated – “AgroTech Energo” with the only purpose - to implement the conversion of  agricultural machinery in the region to NG fuels and to build a network oa gas refueling stations for this machinery. The pilot project started  at a collective farm “Nelyubino”. Today in this farm various machinery has been converted to CNG motor fuel – heavy duty tractors K-701 ( with engine of 700 horse power),  light duty tractors MTZ-82 ( 82 horse power), medium duty trucks GAZ and ZIL, a 40 passengers bus of PAZ type.

The most easy part was to convert  automobiles because everything  was  easily available – conversion kits, technical service , experienced in such conversions personnel, etc.  But the most economically efficient was the conversion of K-701 tractors because of their very high fuel consumption. During agricultural works of this tractor  the fuel expenditure was reduced by 3513 rubles ( 100 Euros in winter 2009 ) per 8 hours working shift.  Refueling is done at the Central Village of the farm ( where the Administration of the farm has its office) with the help of  Mobile Auto Gas Refueling Vehicle. As its gas refueling capacity is quite limited a decision was taken to build a full fledged Auto Gas  Refueling- Compressor Station in 2008.  The  complete conversion of agricultural machinery in “Nelyubino” collective farm will enable it to save 48% in fuel expenditure –  about 3,5 million rubles ( 100 thousand Euros) per annum. Besides,  the toxic emissions from agricultural machinery in this place will be reduced by 4-5 times.

                                                     ( Mobile Gas Refuelling Vehicle)