OREANDA-NEWS. June 6, 2007. A presentation and discussion of the results of an independent study aimed at consideration and analysis of different versions of gas transportation from the Kovykta field, including the versions proposed by TNK-BP and alternative versions, in terms of social and economic risks and efficiency of investment projects was held in Moscow.

The round table meeting was participated by representatives of TNK-BP, BP, RUSIA Petroleum, FRECOM, and international, Russian, and regional nonprofit organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Greenpeace Russia, Environmental Education Center Zapovedniki, Nonprofit Partnership Transparent World, Russian Bird Conservation Union, Buryat Regional Association for Baikal, Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia, and Far East (RAIPON), International Fund of Animal Welfare (IFAW), Russian Environmental Association, and World Conservation Union, Institute " Ecojuris ", Karnegie Fund, World Conservation Center, Far East Interregional environmental NGO Ecodal.

According to round table participants, comparative analysis initiated the general public and business is a unique event for our country. In spite of different positions and opinions, all concerned parties agree that this approach may be used for objective, unbiased, and substantial discussion of issues related to development of a new oil and gas province in East Siberia together with producers, consumers, and general public. Such discussion and analysis provides the concerned parties with important and reliable information that may be used for more objective formulation, substantiation, justification, and correction of their positions.

The principal goal of the independent study was objective overview of the main factors and salient features of East Siberian regions around Lake Baikal that have decisive influence on the selection of an optimal corridor for transportation of hydrocarbons from the Kovykta gas condensate field. The independent study included comprehensive analysis of all technically feasible corridors for a trunk pipeline from the Kovykta field with emphasis on the key environmental, social, and ethno-cultural aspects and geopolitical, engineering, economic, and other restrictions, limitations, risks, and possibilities.

In accordance with the joint decision of TNK-BP, Russian nongovernmental environmental protection organizations, and other concerned parties, experts were chosen for conducting independent studies from the leading research organizations of the country, such as the Institute of Oil and Gas Geology and Geophysics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk); Moscow State University (Moscow); Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow); Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk); and Institute of Geography, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Irkutsk), Irkutsk State technical University (Irkutsk).

For illustration of different versions of gas transport corridors, the Nonprofit Partnership Transparent World with the financial support of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) prepared maps of the transport corridors.

The final report on the independent study points out that the Kovykta gas condensate field is the basis for development of the Irkutsk gas production center. The Kovykta field fully satisfies the demand of the Irkutsk Region and adjacent areas in natural gas. Apart from that, the Kovykta field may be used for supplying gas to Asia-Pacific countries.

The results of this independent study may be used for solving the complex problem of selecting the optimal version of comprehensive development of the Kovykta field and the best route for transportation of gas from the Kovykta field.

The analysis has shown that all routes considered posess risks related to engineering, technical, environmental and ethno-cultural aspects. These risks should be considered during further detailed porject development, surveys and EIA development.

The study is a tentative overview that serves for identification and careful and well-balanced consideration of a number of key factors for developing the Kovykta gas condensate field and choosing the optimal gas export corridor with due regard to the interests of all concerned parties.