OREANDA-NEWS. On 10 April 2008 was announced, that according to Vladimir Bogdanov, general director for “Surgutneftegas” construction of the ESPO pipeline will finally resolve issues of oil transporting from the Talakan field. Plans for start of the commercial development are being coordinated with the system putting into operation forecasts, reported by the “Eastern pipeline” expert portal.

Mr. Bogdanov considers “Transneft’s” oil transporting conditions to be the most propitious for “Surgutneftegas”. Crude supplies to ESPO from the Talakan oil field in Yakutia will be started coming autumn. “Transneft’s” management have already approved the issues of technical filling up of “Taishet – Talakan” sector that will be working in a reverse mode by the end of ESPO first phase construction. According to the company leader “Surgutneftegas” is ready to supply about 500 thousand tons of crude oil, he also added that the mineral developer would be able to supply crude oil for the technical filling of the oil pipeline in coming July.

Classification of ESPO transportation tariffs after completion of the pipeline first phase construction remains one the key points for the petroleum experts. Mr. Bogdanov reported that the estimated tariff set at the level of \\$38 per one ton is the best for the company. Previously head for “Surgutneftegas” mentioned that the most acceptable tariff for the company is one with the planned profitability of 15-20%. However no alternate oil transportation routes are being considered by the company. Transportation cost will foremost depend on temps of the geologic exploration of the East Siberian resources, Mr. Bogdanov stressed.

According to “Eastern pipeline” portal Yakutia is one of “Surgutneftegas’s” priorities. Next year the company plans to start Alinsk field development. Production at this field will probably reach 300 thousand tons by 2010. Moreover this January “Surgutneftegas” has obtained a license for development of the North-Talakan field discovered on the territory of Yakutia last year. Oil from the Yakutia’s fields will fill up the ESPO.