OREANDA-NEWS. Drilling service companies have started work at the Messoyakha group of fields. Equipment and materials have been brought in for construction of the main field development infrastructure. It has only been possible to transport loads to the site since the winter roads have been in place.

In 2014, preparations for construction at Messoyakha will be carried out, including of the central collection point, gas turbine power plant, approximately 100 km of oil pipeline, and a commercial metering point and custody transfer station at the main Zapolyarye-Purpe oil pipeline. It is expected that these facilities will be brought into operation at the end of 2016.

The engineering and economic principles underpinning the development of Messoyakha were finalized at the end of 2013, including issues relating to the geology, the location of surface infrastructure, and logistics. A programme of commercial test drilling will be carried out in 2014, to include six development wells (there will be 20 in total) and four exploration wells (of a total 66). Full-scale production drilling will start in 2015.

Commercial delivery of raw materials has also begun this season. It is expected that this will amount to more than 2,000 tonnes of hydrocarbons. Oil will be transported by tanker to the Korotchayevo station in the Purovsky region, then on by rail to the users. Oil was first transported from the field on a pilot basis at the beginning of 2013.