Aug 15. The Federal Antimonopoly Service is about to adopt a decision to offer non-discriminatory access to Gazprom's pipeline systems for independent gas producers, head of FAS Igor Artemiev said. "We are on the verge of adopting a decision on non-discriminatory access to Gazprom's pipeline systems for independent gas producers" - Artemiev announced. He went on to say that amendments have been drafted and forwarded for coordination to various agencies. Artemiev did not mention any timeframe for the draft amendments to be reviewed. According to the head of FAS, the agency will also coordinate with related agencies amendments to the law "On Gas Exports", which vested Gazprom with the monopoly right to export blue fuel outside Russia. "We have not forgotten about our colleagues in the gas industry", said Artemiev who took center stage in the Mechel affair which trimmed off over half of the company's market capitalization. Independent gas producers, which account for nearly 16% of aggregate gas output, claim they experience difficulties gaining access to Gazprom's pipe, which hinders their development, and also the low purchase price, around USD 50 per 1,000 cu m, while the export price is around USD 400 for the same volume. FAS would like to force Gazprom to enter into agreements with independent gas producers to purchase gas for exports in proportion to their contribution to national output.