Assessment of the feasibility of gasification of settlements in the Chelyabinsk region based on their socio-economic potential

The article focuses on the development of a methodology for assessing the feasibility of gasification and additional gasification of settlements in the region. It considers the features of the gas market in modern conditions, when an important task is the development of the domestic sector and increasing the share of municipal gas consumption. Positive social, economic, environmental, and technological effects of gasification of populated areas have been identified. The study puts forward a hypothesis about the advisability of taking into account all of these factors when choosing the most promising territories for priority gasification. In this case, funds for gasification should be directed to those settlements that have sufficient socio-economic development potential and where gasification will serve as an incentive to accelerate the growth rate of both the economy and improve the well-being of the population. The resulting economic effects will allow the allocation of resources for gasification and additional gasification of economically depressed territories. Taking into account the results of the analysis of the methodological tools for assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of gasification and post-gasification projects, the paper proposes to include an indicator of the socio-economic potential of territories in terms of their gasification in the criteria for selecting settlements - the gasification feasibility index. The methodology for calculating the index is based on the method of scoring 12 characteristic sub-indices of settlements. The study tested the methodology, calculated indices of the feasibility of gasification of settlements in the Chelyabinsk region, taking into account their environmental, demographic, and economic conditions. As a result, the paper gives an assessment of their socio-economic potential, carries out the ranking of territories, and identifies the most and least promising ones. The methodology can be used in the formation of plans for gasification of territories, as well as in planning measures to support regions within the framework of state socio-economic policy.