Oil Pipeline Construction Started at the Messoyakha Cluster
Messoyakhaneftegaz began constructing a pressure oil pipeline from the Messoyakha field cluster located in northern Yamalo-Nenetskiy Autonomous Area to the Zapolyarye-Purpe trunk pipeline system.
The oil pipeline with a maximum throughput capacity of 7 mmtpa will be laid from both sides at the same time for a total length of 96.5 km. Oil transportation is planned to be started in late 2016 upon commissioning of the Vostochno-Messoyakhskoe field. The subsoil user already signed a preliminary agreement for oil transfer by the Zapolyarye-Purpe system with Transneft.
The Messoyakha fields are the northernmost known onshore oil fields in Russia. The project considers the need to minimize the impact on the polar environment and warrant safe and reliable operation of the oil transportation system in the harsh climate. In particular, to conserve the permafrost layers, the oil pipeline is being placed on special supports with thermal stabilization of the soil. The system of permanent control of the line condition and integrity uses a special fiber optic cable laid along the entire track. The oil pipeline will also be equipped with fire and security alarms and a video surveillance system.
The Indikyakha and Muduiyakha rivers encountered by the pipeline will be crossed under ground without disturbing the riverbeds. To create the required underground tunnels, they will employ directional drilling. In the locations of deer migration and travels of indigenous people, the project provides for construction of 14 special passes and crossings.
The pipeline construction project received a positive opinion of Glavgosexpertiza. In addition to that, upon discussion with nongovernmental organizations and deer herding community leaders, they selected a pipeline route that does not cross valuable grazing areas where the indigenous small peoples of the North carry on their economic activity.
Notes for Editors:
The Messoyakha field cluster includes the Vostochno-Messoyakhskoe and Zapadno-Messoyakhskoe fields. The licenses for field exploration and development are owned by CJSC Messoyakhaneftegaz, which is controlled by Gazprom Neft and Rosneft on a parity basis. Gazprom Neft performs the functions of the project operator.
The fields were discovered in the 1980s on the Gydan peninsula in the Taz district of the Yamalo-Nenetskiy Autonomous Area, 340 km north of Novyi Urengoi in the arctic climatic zone in a region with an undeveloped infrastructure. The proved C1+C2 reserves of the fields amount to 465 mmt of oil and gas condensate and in excess of 170 bcm of gas.
Rosneft Information Division
Tel.: +7 (499) 517 88 97
November 5, 2014