OREANDA-NEWS. March 17, 2011. Gazprom Neft has launched the second phase of the South Priobsky Gas Turbine Power Station (GTPS), located in the southern licensed area of the Priobsky deposit (Khanty-Mansyisk Autonomous District). Boris Zilbermints, Gazprom Neft's Deputy CEO for Exploration and Production and Alexander Kim, First Deputy Governor of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District (Ugra) participated in the ceremony of launching the second phase.

The completion of the facility's construction has allowed the total capacity of the power station to be brought up to 96 megawatts. 4.8 billion rubles were invested into the project, including the costs incurred at the first phase.

The commissioning of the first phase of the power plant allowed Gazpromneft-Khantos to reduce its oil production operational costs. After the commissioning of the second phase of gas turbine power station in the South Priobsky deposit, the total capacity of Gazprom Neft's owned six power plants will amount to approximately 140 megawatts. Gazprom Neft's own share in energy production to supply upstream operations has increased from 4% in 2009 to 19%.

Boris Zilbermints commented: "The increase in the GTPS's power capacity will fully meet the demand of the energy needed for the development of the South Priobsky deposit. The implementation of such projects will help to ensure an uninterrupted and stable energy supply to the company's production facilities, reduce production costs and enable a comprehensive approach in addressing the the issue of associated gas utilisation."