OREANDA-NEWS. June 30, 2014. Rosneft and ExxonMobil within the framework of the Sakhalin-1 consortium put into operation the Berkut platform at the Arkutun-Dagi field having successfully installed topside at gravity base structure.

The platform was put into operation in the course of video conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At that time Rosneft President, Chairman of the Management Board Igor Sechin, ExxonMobil Russia President Glenn Waller, and Exxon Neftegas Limited Vice-President Roger Higham were at the platform. Russian President launched the commissioning of the gas and oil producing platform.

"Developing Sakhalin’s natural resources and continental shelf is of huge importance, - Vladimir Putin said, - one could say national importance - for Russia. Projects such as Berkut make it possible to develop rich but hard to access fields, build new facilities, create new jobs and in general build up the socioeconomic capability of the Far East, this region that is so important for our country".

"I also want to note the positive work that Rosneft is doing with our American partners from ExxonMobil. I know that you have big plans together, including for developing new fields and building liquefied natural gas production facilities", - added the President of Russia.

In order to install the topside of the platform there has been carried out a unique transportation operation of its delivery to the destination point at a distance of more than 2600 km. In the process of manufacture, delivery, and installation of the fundamental topside, there have been set a number of industry world records, including float-over installation method on the open sea. The weight of the topside is 42 thousand tons, and the total weight (top and bottom) exceeds 200 thousand tons. This is the world's largest construction of this kind. All the operations on the connection at the Berkut platform have been carried out with due regard to safety requirements, and all the systems subject to connection from the first stage have been tested.

'According to the development simulation model, the existing world's most powerful drilling platform provides for well drilling with horizontal displacement not less than 7 km, and technically up to 14 thousand meters,' Igor Sechin said after the launch of the platform. 'Such records have already been achieved, it's the drilling rig Yastreb. Despite complication of the project, benefits for all the participants are straightforward. This includes the 30% share of our partners from ExxonMobil in profit production.'

In the short term at the Berkut platform there will be put into operation fire-fighting systems, and housing of the accommodation block will start. This autumn, as soon as simulation tests of drilling systems are finished, drilling of the first exploitation well will be launched.

The beginning of production at the platform is scheduled for the end of this year. The development of the Arkutun-Dagi field will add up to 4.5 million tons of oil to the annual production of Sakhalin-1 project. The Rosneft project will provide for significant investments in the economy of the Far East region.

The drilling platform Berkut is a notable proof of high professionalism and distinctive competences of Rosneft in the shelf area of the Russian Federation. The beginning of Berkut operation will strengthen the position of Russia in the world markets, strengthen energy security of the country, and increase the Sakhalin region treasury revenues.