Rosneft starts selecting contractor to design LNG plant in Sakhalin
MOSCOW. Aug 21 (Interfax) - Rosneft and ExxonMobil have started the process of picking a contractor to perform design and engineering work for the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Sakhalin, Rosneft said in a press release.
"In 2013-2014 Rosneft and ExxonMobil plan to complete design work, including selection of a liquefaction technology and identification of major equipment requirements, to perform engineering surveys, develop Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) and Russian project documentation for the LNG plant, hydro-technical marine facilities and a source gas pipeline, as well as perform EIA," the statement said.
"Special attention during the design phase will focus on minimizing the environmental impact to the unique ecosystem of Sakhalin island and encouraging the development of local infrastructure," Rosneft reported.
"A joint team of experts from Rosneft and ExxonMobil will apply best practices from both companies to complete the project in the shortest possible timeframe," the press release said.
"Rosneft's offshore license areas hold massive hydrocarbon resource potential, most of which is natural gas. Given the fact that offshore fields are difficult to reach and are not connected to the national gas supply system, the most efficient way to monetize these resources is to liquefy the natural gas and sell the LNG in export markets," Rosneft President Igor Sechin is quoted as saying in the statement.
"We are optimistic about the prospects for LNG export liberalization in Russia in the near term and are pleased to announce that we have entered an important stage of the LNG project jointly with our strategic partner ExxonMobil," he said.
"I would also point out that construction of the LNG plant and essential infrastructure will rely on the full resources of the Russian manufacturing and construction industries (primarily those based in the Far East) applying international best practices," Sechin said.
