OREANDA-NEWS. March 04, 2008. Government delegation of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) headed by President V.A.Shtyrov, a group of specialists from AK “Transneft” headed by President N.P.Tokarev and top managers of OJSC “Surgutneftegas” led by Director General V.L.Bogdanov participated at a working meeting at the Talakanskoye field, reported the press-centre of Surgutneftegas.

The participants visited a number of production facilities of the Talakanskoye field central block.
Within less than three years of operation OJSC “Surgutneftegas” has invested over RUR 65 bn in this region to create almost entire infrastructure needed to start commercial field development.

A hard surface motor road stretching for 112 km from Vitim to the Talakanskoye field and 48 producing wells have been constructed (by the end of 2008 this number is planned to reach 69 wells), a gas-piston power station with 12 MWt capacity has been put into operation to supply power to production facilities of the Talakanskoye field and Transneft oil pumping station under construction.

 A central oil gathering station and lease automatic custody transfer are ready to be put into service. Pre-commissioning is on the way at 96 MWt gas turbine power plant with first phase (48 MWt capacity) to be commissioned as early as this April. This power plant is to provide power to Surgutneftegas production facilities along with two Transneft oil pumping stations.

Additionally, the Company has completed construction of all support bases and social amenities including dormitories, canteens, laundries and etc.

Summing up the working meeting results, V.A.Shtyrov, President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and N.P.Tokarev, President of AK “Transneft”, pointed out that Surgutneftegas is fully prepared to start field production development.

To speed up oil pumping through the first phase of VSTO in reverse mode OJSC “Surgutneftegas” is getting ready to individually start pipeline filling.

“Once the shipping season starts, a newly purchased pump station is to be delivered and mounted at the field. In July, we will be ready to start pipeline filling to initiate production pumping of oil in combination with Talakan-Tayshet pipeline section start-up which is scheduled for autumn, – says V.L.Bogdanov. – Production output will depend on pipeline start-up date. As early as in 2009 the Company will ensure output of 1 mn tons with a successive increase according to a field development program”.

Vladimir Bogdanov emphasized that prompt execution of large scale works was impossible without timely problem solving, understanding and support from Sakha (Yakitia) government and personally President of the Republic, V.A.Shtyrov.

In conclusion, V.L.Bogdanov pointed out that pipeline startup marks the beginning of new oil and gas province development in Eastern Siberia.