MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. Russia’s top gas producer Gazprom has built over 83% of the Power of Siberia natural gas pipeline by the middle of May 2018, the company said Thursday.

"As of today, a total of 1,791 kilometers of the pipeline, or 83% of the linear section of the pipeline from the Chayandinskoye field to the Chinese border in the Amur Region, has been constructed," Gazprom said. "This year the main part of construction and installation works on this section will be completed," the report said.

The Power of Siberia gas trunkline will transport gas from the Irkutsk and Yakutia gas production centers to consumers in Russia’s Far East and China (‘eastern route’).

In 2018, Gazprom plans to invest almost 218 bln rubles ($3.9 bln) in the project. In 2017, Gazprom's investments into the Power of Siberia pipeline amounted to 158.8 bln rubles ($2.8 bln).

In May 2014, Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed a sales and purchase agreement for gas to be supplied via the ‘eastern route’ (Power of Siberia gas pipeline). The 30-year agreement provides for Russian gas deliveries to China in the amount of 38 bln cubic meters per year. Gas supplies are expected to start in December 2019.