OREANDA-NEWS. December 10, 2009. Led by Alexander Ananenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, the Company’s delegation made a business trip to the Bovanenkovo field. The delegation was informed on the progress with constructing the key technological facilities.

In Labytnangi (Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug) Alexander Ananenkov held a meeting on the Yamal megaproject execution.

Taking part in the meeting were Yaroslav Golko, Member of the Management Committee – Head of the Investment and Construction Department, heads and experts from the specialized subdivisions of the Gazprom Administration, Gazprom dobycha Nadym, Gazprom transgaz Ukhta, Gazprom komplektatsiya, Gazprom Bureniye, Gazpromtrans, Yamalgazinvest, engineering companies and contracting agencies.

The meeting addressed the crucial issues of executing Gazprom’s top-priority projects on Yamal: development of the Bovanenkovo field, construction of the Bovanenkovo – Ukhta gas trunkline system (GTS) and the Obskaya – Bovanenkovo railroad.

During the meeting Alexander Ananenkov emphasized the strategic importance of the Yamal megaproject execution both for Gazprom and, first of all, for the Russian gas industry development in the long run. He underlined that the readiness level of Yamal’s separate facilities demonstrated the high paces of construction activities and indicated the possibility to launch gas production on Yamal ahead of the approved schedule, in case demanded by the market.

In particular, as part of developing the Cenomanian-Aptian deposits of the Bovanenkovo field, the key production facilities (comprehensive gas treatment units, engineering support facilities for drilling operations, gas well clusters) are being intensively constructed. Drilling of production wells is progressing according to schedule. All the Ekaterina drilling rigs have been delivered to the field. Seven out of the nine rigs have commenced drilling operations. The remaining two rigs will be completely installed in early 2010.

The linear part of the Bovanenkovo – Ukhta GTS is being constructed. By now, more than 340 kilometers of the gas pipeline have been built including the first string of the most complex section – the underwater crossing via the Baidarata Bay. Installation of the gas-pumping equipment has been initiated at the Baidaratskaya compressor station.

In addition, it was noted at the meeting that construction of the Obskaya – Bovanenkovo railroad was nearing completion. A year-round thoroughfare to the Bovanenkovo station is projected to be launched in early 2010, while the Bovanenkovo station – Karskaya station section will be brought onstream in the third quarter of 2010.

Based on the meeting results the Gazprom Administration specialized subdivisions, the Company’s subsidiaries and contracting agencies were given the tasks aimed at maintaining a high pace in executing the top-priority projects on Yamal.