Rosneft wins local support for Arctic seismic campaign

March 27, 2012
Public hearings have concluded in northern Russia on Rosneft’s 2012 Arctic seismic study program.

Offshore staff

MOSCOW – Public hearings have concluded in northern Russia on Rosneft’s 2012 Arctic seismic study program.

This is due to be acquired over theEast Prinovozemelsky 1 and 2 blocks in the Kara Sea and the Youzhno Russky block in the Pechora Sea. Rosneft was awarded licenses to study, explore and produce oil and gas from these blocks in 2010. RN-Shelf-Far East, the company’s Far East offshore subsidiary, is the operator.

Rosneft estimates total recoverable resources at the three East Prinovozemelsky blocks at 4.9 billion metric tons (5.4 billion tons) of oil and condensate and 8.3 tcm of gas. Youzhno Russky holds an estimated 270 MMt (297 MMt) of oil and 64 bcm of gas.

Public hearings began in early February in Arkhangelsk and in the village of Yar-Sale in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region. Public presentations were submitted on the main project and environmental aspects of the seismic study for East Prinovozemelsky 1 and 2.

In Salekhard, a Rosneft delegation also held a working meeting at the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region government with department and municipality officials. The delegation outlined the program’s main features and Rosneft’s experience managing projects offshore Sakhalin, eastern Russia which are challenging in terms of the location and the harsh climate.

Rosneft says the response was positive, and the officials agreed to provide all support within their authority for the seismic survey.

As for the Youzhno Russky field, designers and environmental specialists from RN-Shelf-Far East presented their plans to the public in the village of Iskatelei in the Polar district.

Results of the public hearings are being processed and will be included in project materials provided to the government for environmental review.

3/27/2012