MOSCOW, August 31 - RAPSI, Natalia Belova. The Moscow Commercial Court has approved a settlement between Gazprom Dobycha Astrakhan (a Gazprom subsidiary) and SOGAZ in a 107,592,000 ruble ($3.8 million) insurance indemnity dispute, the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) reports from the courtroom.

The Gazprom subsidiary had sought indemnity from SOGAZ, its insurer, for an accident at its Astrakhan gas field.

In late December, the court suspended proceedings upon the parties request, in order to allow experts time to examine the facility. The parties to the dispute explained to RAPSI that the expert examination had confirmed the validity of the gas companys insurance claim in the amount of 107 million rubles.

After the expert opinion was prepared, the court resumed proceedings. In a Wednesday hearing, the parties submitted a settlement agreement, which the court approved.
Gazprom Dobycha Astrakhan was established in October 1981. It started developing the Astrakhan gas field in 1986.

SOGAZ is part of the SOGAZ insurance group, which consists of several insurance companies.