Gazprom must launch Prirazlomnoye field before year-end
MOSCOW. Dec 5 (Interfax) - Gazprom must launch the Prirazlomnoye field on the Pechora Sea shelf before year-end under the terms of its license agreement.
"We plan to launch the Prirazlomnoye field before the end of the year," Stanislav Konovalov, the deputy head of project operator Gazpromneft Shelf, told journalists.
Gazpromneft Shelf is scheduled for an audit of its fulfillment of the license agreement in July 2014, according to materials from natural resources watchdog Rosprirodnadzor.
Gazprom has already postponed the launch date for Prirazlomnoye a number of times. It initially planned to receive first oil from the field in 2004. It has since announced a number of dates for the start of production: 2008, 2010, late 2011, early 2012. The gas giant has frequently mentioned the project's low margins. In mid-2012, Prirazlomnoye qualified for the discounted oil export duty. Afterward, it said production at the field would begin in September-October 2013.
Development of Prirazlomnoye, located on the shelf of the Pechora Sea 60 kilometers from shore, will serve as a pilot project for development of other fields on Russia's Arctic shelf. Oil reserves total 72 million tonnes. Output in the production plateau period will amount to 6.6 million-7 million tonnes of oil a year.