9th
International Conference and Exhibition for Oil and Gas Resources
Development of the Russian Arctic and CIS Continental Shelf
RAO/CIS
OFFSHORE 2009
September 15-18, 2009, St.Petersburg, Russia
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September
18, 2009
Today at Grand Hotel Europe and Mikhajlovsky Manege
International Conference and Exhibition for Oil and Gas Resources
Development of the Russian Arctic and CIS Continental Shelf RAO/CIS
Offshore 2009 have been closed. More than 600 of leading experts in
oil and gas industry from Russia and 17 other countries have taken
part in it.
During four days Conference business program covered two Plenary Sessions,
nine round tables and 13 poster presentations.
Forum participants have discussed problems of offshore exploration
and operation at the northern, southern and Far East seas, development
perspectives of Shtokman gas condensate field, aspects of engineering
and environmental safety and opportunities of interregional and international
cooperation.
Conference business program has been supported by exhibition at Mikhajlovsky
Manege. It displays investment offshore field development projects:
drilling equipment, floating and subsea engineering facilities, designs
for construction of marine oil and gas production facilities, anti-ice
equipment, ice-technologies, shipbuilding and environmental safety
facilities.
About 200 companies specializing in offshore oil and gas production
from Russia, Finland, Norway, Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan
and other countries have taken part in work of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009
Conference. Participants of Exhibition and Conference included the
largest producing and servicing companies, scientific centers and
design departments, manufacturers of equipment and ships for offshore
development: StatoilHydro ASA, ExxonMobil, FMC Technologies, Total
SA, Shell, Itochu, Shtokman Development, Gazprom JSC, NK Rosneft JSC,
Caspian Energy Group and United stand of Norway.
RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference and Exhibition have been supported
by Committee of the Federal Council for Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection Saint Petersburg Government and Global Energy Fund. Organizers
of the event include Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of
the Russian Federation, Federal Subsoil resources Management Agency,
Gazprom JSC, NK Rosneft JSC, Lukoil JSC, Gazprom Neft Shelf LLC, Gazprom
Dobycha Shelf LLC, VNIIGAZ LLC, RESTEC Exhibition Company.
International Conference and Exhibition RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 have
been held since 1993 on the initiative of the Government of Russia;
it occupies sound position in the world calendar of offshore oil and
gas conferences and exhibitions. More than 4,500 delegates and 1,000
companies have taken part in this event for this period of time.
September
18, 2009
Work of the round table "Becoming a Supplier
for Offshore Development: Challenges and Opportunities Tribute to
Russian Industry" has been completed at Grand Hotel Europe. With
great interest participants of the meeting listened to speech of Sergei
V. SMIRNOV, General Director of Sozvezdie Arkhangelsk Regional Association
of Oil and Gas Suppliers. The Association has been established in
2006 on the initiative of Administration of Arkhangelsk region with
support of Statoil ASA, Norway. Association founders include industrial
giants Sevmash Production Association and Zvyozdochka ship repairing
dock.
Goal of the Association is maximum engagement of regional companies
into the project of Shtokman gas condensate field development and
attraction of international companies into Arkhangelsk region for
the purpose of investing and creation of joint production facilities.
Concept of Arkhangelsk region industry participation in the Shtokman
gas condensate field development has been drawn. Considering geographic
proximity of the region to the area of future development and availability
of companies oriented to participation in oil and gas projects Arkhangelsk
region can make significant contribution into preparatory stage of
the project. In particular, production base can produce different
units, mechanisms, individual process modules, including production
in cooperation with international companies. Participants of the project
are ready to transport different types of cargoes, supply imported
equipment, search for and develop optimal logistic solutions. In the
area of Teriberka settlement of Murmansk region it is planned to perform
different types of works such as industrial and civil construction,
engineering survey, waterworks construction, etc.
In order to increase competitive ability of companies in Arkhangelsk
region and to unite their efforts in orders receipt the following
trade associations - consortia have been founded within framework
of Sozvezdie Association: Arkhangelsk Construction Consortium and
Arkhangelsk Transportation and Logistic Consortium. The roles inside
consortia are distributed in such way so that each participant could
work in the area of its best engineering expertise at the least production
costs. It helps regional companies to demonstrate their strengths
and to strengthen their positions at stage of preliminary qualifications
as tender participants.
Sergei SMIRNOV emphasized: "We formed and update the database
of investment projects and sites for which land plots have been allocated
within territory and of Arkhangelsk region; they have required infrastructure
and are fit for production facilities creation provided respective
investment is made. Now the suppliers database of Sozvezdie Association
contains data about 170 companies in different business areas, including
mechanic engineering, ship building, production of metal structures,
chemicals, reagents, paint materials, production and installation
of electric equipment, transport, logistics, engineering survey, etc.".
Development of transport network in the region is another important
aspect. We construct trunk railway Belkomur; it will be laid within
territory of Arkhangelsk region, Komi Republic and Perm territory
connecting Arkhangelsk with developed industrial centers of the Urals
in the shortest way and also with Transsib railway.
Availability of access to the sea and developed port infrastructure
is a great advantage of Arkhangelsk region. It allows export and import
of products by relatively chip sea transport and cargo transit.
In future it is planned to implement project of the new deep sea part
of Arkhangelsk seaport. It will be located at distance of 50 km to
the north from Arkhangelsk, in Sukhoye More bay. This location of
new port area will allow receipt of large-capacity ocean-going vessels
with deadweight up to 75 thous. tones. It is known that nowadays existing
port areas are limited in many ways: low depths, necessity of ice-breakers
support, significant expenses for approach channel maintenance, dispersion
of cargo areas, etc.
"Implementation of perspective projects on construction of trunk
railway Belkomur and new deep sea part of the seaport will assure
additional advantages for cargo transit through Arkhangelsk port and
for development of transport and port infrastructures, logistics modernization
in dock area", said Sergei Smirnov. "Project of Multimodal
Logistic Park in city of Arkhangelsk is an excellent example of logistic
infrastructure development; the project will implement range of functions
such as storage, customs, trade and Light Industrial. Nenets Autonomous
Area (NAA), which is a part of Arkhangelsk region, is of great interest
for our Association. We are interested in attraction of NAA potential
into the project of Shtokman gas condensate field development. Negotiations
have been held with NAA chief executives about foundation of the branch
of Sozvezdie Association in city of Naryan-Mar, use of infrastructure
and attraction of local contractors.
In conclusion Sergei Smirnov informed that about one year Sozvezdie
Association has been successfully cooperating with Shtokman project
operator - Shtokman Development. Range of meetings has been arranged
with the company specialists and representatives of business community
in the region in order to engage enterprises of Arkhangelsk region
into Shtokman development project. The interest to cooperation is
mutual and number of companies has been admitted to tender participation
under several lots. One of the companies has become the preferred
winner and it is a good omen to continue cooperation.
September
18, 2009
Round tables within framework RAO/CIS Offshore 2009
Conference continue their work at Grand Hotel Europe. Large number
of participants takes place in the round table "Becoming a Supplier
for Offshore Development: Challenges and Opportunities Tribute to
Russian Industry".
Making the speech Grigory I. STRATIY, General Director of Murmahshelf
Association of Suppliers for Oil and Gas Industry emphasized that
purposeful work on creation of favorable conditions was carried out
both for the Russian and foreign investors at Murmansk region. Every
effort is exerted in order to make Murmansk the real center of offshore
development.
Murmahshelf Association is a good example of international cooperation;
it was established on the initiative of StatoilHydro within framework
of Memorandum concluded by it with Government of Murmansk region.
"I like the way StatoilHydro engage local contractors for work",
Grigory STRATIY says. "We have constructive dialogue with Shtokman
Development as well; the company introduced into its regulatory documents
the subclause stating that priority of participation in the project
is given to companies and suppliers registered within territory of
Murmansk region. We know capabilities of local industrial companies
and can evaluate the contribution to be made by them into preparatory
phase of Shtokman field development. It makes me glad that Shtokman
Development has already developed principles of contractual strategy
and conducts open policy arranging seminars with suppliers".
September
18, 2009
The 9th International Conference and Exhibition for
Oil and Gas Resources Development of the Russian Arctic and CIS Continental
Shelf RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 became the most important industry forum
at which hundreds of speeches were made by specialists; the most famous
scientists and representatives of the Russian and foreign oil and
gas companies held discussions and exchanged opinions. Participants
of Conference mainly discussed problems that require decision taking
in order to develop offshore deposits successfully.
Alexei KONTOROVICH, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
winner of Global Energy Prize, says: "Oil and gas extraction
at Arctic offshore will provide for Russia opportunity to become the
largest resources exported to the global market in future in conditions
of new economic environment that is being formed nowadays with participation
of our country. In the second half of the present century hydrocarbon
extraction in Arctic oil-and-gas-bearing superbasin will play very
important role in supply of humanity with energy resources as Persian
Gulf and West Siberian basin play nowadays. Government of Russia approved
long-term program for regional survey of geology and hydrocarbon resources
at Arctic offshore. This is high-priority program for Russia for the
next decade. National safety interests require effective geological
exploration in Arctic even in conditions of economic crisis. While
developing resource potential of the Arctic Ocean Russia and the humanity
will face common problem to damage beautiful and inimitable Arctic
nature at the same time. As for survey program for the nearest years
Government of Russia and two leading companies Gazprom and Rosneft
many times raised question on necessity to create oil and gas strategic
stock. Strategic stock should be created at giant deposits; it is
not possible to create it at small and medium deposits. At continental
part of Russia, if we do not mention Eastern Siberia, we cannot rely
on giant deposits; maybe only at deep-laying horizons of Western Siberia.
Thus, strategic stock should be created at Arctic offshore. Who is
going to do it? If a company invests capital in field development
it will not freeze it for 40-50 years; this function should be fulfilled
by the state. That is why it seems to me that decision to divide the
offshore in equal parts between Gazprom and Rosneft (as the companies
insisted on it) is not exactly correct. Undistributed reserve of subsoil
resources is about 95% of offshore; as for the remaining share, God,
help these companies to develop it. Unquestionably Gazprom and Rosneft
are very professional, experienced leading companies. But Gazprom
has got huge obligations on deep horizons development at fields where
production volume is decreasing; it needs to develop Yamal, Shtokman
gas condensate field and resources of Eastern Siberia. Each of these
programs will require extremely large investments. Rosneft faces approximately
the same situation as it received range of highly perspective fields
in Eastern Siberia where large volume of geological exploration is
required. All these tasks cannot be postponed for long. That is why
there is risk that serving faithfully to the state Gazprom and Rosneft
will have to conduct works at the Arctic Ocean with remaining forces
and means. We cannot accept it. In my opinion it is necessary to establish
powerful state company, besides these two companies, and to entrust
it with exploration of undistributed reserve of subsoil resources,
not only regional survey, but also prospect evaluation survey and
prospecting works partially. When we have result and it becomes clear
which field is not referred to strategic group, the field will be
given for development; then the state will be entitled to transfer
it to the above mentioned companies or to establish a special company
for field development".
Academician Alexei KONTOROVICH informed that in order to provide required
offshore reserves increment it is necessary to drill more than 17
mln. m of deep-hole wells in the most severe climatic conditions.
For the purpose of successful implementation of Geological Industry
Development Strategy till 2020 that has been approved by Government
of Russia on August 27, 2009 it is necessary to create powerful and
well-thought-out program of offshore geological survey approved by
law. The Academician reminded that this is the third version of the
strategy; two previous versions have not been implemented due to failure
in exploration works.
September
18, 2009
Problem concerning potential impact of climatic changes
on Arctic offshore development concept has been discussed within frameworks
of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference.
For recent century our planet has been facing the most rapid and significant
warming in the whole history of civilization. At the same time average
air temperature in Arctic basin is increased two times faster in comparison
with global temperature.
Scientists from Institute of Energy Strategy of the RF Ministry of
Energy have analyzed data about variations of Arctic climate for the
recent 600 years. Reconstruction of average annual temperatures showed
that the greatest warming periods were observed in XIX, at the end
of XVIII and earlier. But practically each century had strong cooling
periods. In particular such periods were observed at the beginning
and end of XIX century.
As per climatic change forecast in the western part of the Russian
Arctic made by Russian scientists, till 2050 positive temperatures
will not exceed maximum records fixed in 30-50-ies of XX century.
Only in the second half of the present century strong and permanent
warming will start in Arctic; the scale of this warming will be unprecedented
even in the context of the several recent centuries. Adverse effect
is inevitable.
Nevertheless, in the context of global warming Arctic region will
acquire more and more important strategic significance. Sea routes
by the middle of this century will be free from ice 100 days per year
(nowadays only 20 days). The Northern Sea route will get navigable
all-the-year-round and will become Eurasian marine transport corridor.
Scientists suppose that it is expedient to review perspectives of
the Northern Sea Route in two directions of its use; first of all
for Arctic and Subarctic regions and for international transoceanic
transit.
September
18, 2009
Today work of several round tables will be continued
within framework of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference. One more round
table "Becoming a Supplier for Offshore Development: Challenges
and Opportunities Tribute to Russian Industry" will be opened.
All meetings will be completed by the middle of the day; after that
discussions and offers debating will start in order to prepare final
document of by results of Conference.
September
17, 2009
The speech devoted to problems and perspectives of
the Russian and western approaches approximation of the Russian and
foreign companies in the area of environment protection during development
of offshore hydrocarbon deposits was made at RAO/CIS Offshore 2009
Conference within framework of the round table "Industrial and
Environmental Safety".
During recent years Russian environmental legislation has undergone
significant changes. Until recently development of offshore deposits
has been regulated only by the RF Law on Subsoil adopted in 1992.
Enforcement of Water Code and Forest Code in 2006, Urban Planning
Code in 2007 has become powerful impetus for development of new normative
legal documents, introduction of changes into multiple by-laws. Earlier
procedures for development and approval of permits, licenses and approvals
for construction and operation of oil and gas field infrastructure
facilities led to multiple review of the same decisions and figures
by different authorities. The situation was even called the Russian
matryoshka. With adoption of new laws and regulations many procedures
have become much simpler. It allowed reducing execution period of
design works. Nevertheless, the current scheme still contains number
of repeated elements.
Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia has prepared amendments to
the Laws "On Continental Shelf of the Russian Federation",
"On Internal Sea Waters, Territorial Sea Waters and Contiguous
Zone of the Russian Federation", "On Exclusive Economic
Zone of the Russian Federation". Amendments have been approved
at the meeting of the Russian Government Presidium on July 6, 2009.
They will allow removal of administrative barriers while using subsoil
at continental shelf, liquidation of gaps in legal regulation of drilling
operations and ground disposal at sea bottom.
Procedure of environmental damage assessment in case of oil spills
requires corrections. It is necessary to take decision about transfer
from indirect approach to damage assessment adapted in Russia to the
recipient approach and to develop required normative basis. The question
is about adoption of Federal law "On Prevention of Sea Pollution
with Oil". It is necessary to select the right strategy for seashore
protection concentrating forces and engineering means in the most
sensitive areas. For this purpose it is necessary to develop maps
of ecological sensitivity ashore and to increase significantly responsibility
for information hiding on oil spills.
September
17, 2009
Participation of shipbuilding plants of Severodvinsk
has been considered in offshore development within framework of the
round table "Transport System for Russian Arctic and Offshore
Development".
In Severodvinsk there are two largest plants of shipbuilding industry
- Sevmash PO and Zvyozdochka ship reapairing dock.
Performing government defense order Sevmash for the recent 15 years
has mastered production of non-defense products, first of all offshore
platforms for development of Arctic oil and gas deposits. Offshore
ice-resistant fixed platform is being constructed now against order
placed by Gazprom; this platform is designed for year-round development
drilling during 25 years. Now the plant is preparing to create large
engineering facilities for development of Shtokman gas condensate
field.
Zvyozdochka ship repairing dock performs the whole complex of works
on repair and re-equipment of ships of any class and purpose - dry-cargo
carriers, tugs, fishing ships, research ships and ice-breakers. Within
framework of tasks set by United Shipbuilding Corporation the dock
is being prepared for construction of perspective nomenclature of
ships. It will include supply ships for drilling platforms, hydrographic
and buoy ships of ice class, drilling rigs, floating nuclear heat
power stations of low capacity, floating rigs. Against order of Gazprom
OAO the dock constructs Arkticheskaya SEFDR, which is purposed for
drilling of exploratory and operating wells with depth up to 6,500
m in the areas where sea depth varies from 7 m up to 100 m. The dock
is ready to construct the next SEFDR.
To increase capacities for construction of offshore oil and gas facilities
feasibility study has been developed and approved by Zvyozdochka ship
repairing dock for reconstruction of waterworks and ship-houses. Re-equipment
of building birth is planned for construction of platform modules
for Arctic shelf. Reconstruction will allow increase of production
output of up to 25 thous. tones of metal structures and reduce costs
of large modules for offshore oil and gas facilities.
In connection with further increase of production volume on construction
of offshore equipment for Arctic shelf development it is planned to
create Russian-Norwegian design department in cooperation with Aker
Solutions company. Now preparatory work is being done. Design department
will be created in Arkhangelsk on the basis of 176th dockyard, which
is the branch of Zvyozdochka ship repairing dock.
September
17, 2009
Specialists of Sevmorgeo FGUP NPP made report at RAO/CIS
Offshore 2009 Conference within framework of round table "Legislative,
Normative, Legal Base and Economy of Offshore Development" devoted
to economic and institutional background of international cooperation
in development of offshore oil and gas deposits.
In regard to development of offshore deposits that are rather complex
from point of view of geology and technology the world practice dictates
requirements to engage to resources development large transnational
energy producers, which have respective experience and internal resources.
Nevertheless, with increase in business activity internalization in
extractive industries, when serious foreign players enter the market
and pursue their own targets, adequate mechanism of governmental regulation
is required. Role of the state in extractive industries as the subsoil
owner is great; in other words the state is an active market player
along with companies' owners. In order to harmonize relations between
subsoil user and the host state it is necessary to perfect institutional
approaches.
The key role is assigned to formation of the contract strategy.
The Russian company controlled by the state can be an operator of
field development. International consortium is considered as the key
subject of oil and gas production. While implementing state and private
business partnership projects risk evaluation and distribution between
all participants, including the state, is of great importance. It
is necessary to search for methods of risks reduction, to increase
investment attractiveness of offshore fields of hydrocarbons.
Though in order to develop resources of the Russian shelf in effective
and sound way direct foreign investments are not so much important
as advanced technologies of exploration, extraction, production of
products and management.
Innovative development strategy should be based on the regional programs
of the operator. Sharing of profit, expenses and investments is the
key aspect for implementation of schemes in the state and private
business partnership. The host state undertakes to provide the right
for subsoil use, establishment of the state operator, various infrastructure
expenses and scientific support. National companies will invest capital
and bear expenses for subcontractors and infrastructure. Foreign companies
will provide advanced technologies, invest capital and engage qualified
personnel.
In specialists' opinion in order to implement offshore oil and gas
projects within framework of the state and private business partnership
it is expedient to have semi-state operator that will develop optimal
contract strategy on the analogy with Norwegian practice. It is not
only the question of the contract with state, but of contracts with
subcontractors also. In opinion of Sevmorgeo specialists key elements
of institutional infrastructure should include concept and strategy
of offshore oil and gas deposits development, system of contractual
relations with subsoil users, system of planning and goal programming,
foreign economic policy. Based on institutional decisions the model
for state economic policy is offered for development of the Russian
offshore oil and gas resources of Russia on the basis of international
cooperation. All components of the system shall be engaged - state,
private capital, participation of the host country, etc.
All the above mentioned requires perfection of legislation, creation
of legal mechanisms, potential establishment of special authorities
for onshore activities management and also legal basis for development
of infrastructure facilities within the state and private business
partnership, perfection of licensing mechanism, etc.
Thus, governmental and political support is required for development
of offshore zone, including system of intergovernmental agreements.
In the speaker's opinion it is the right time to reach the level of
such agreements conclusion in order to approach seriously implementation
of offshore development projects.
As for perfection of international law institutes we should follow
the way of establishment of international coordinating authorities;
such authorities would deal with studies of environment protection
technologies during development of offshore oil and gas resources.
It is also necessary to appoint a committee on marine federal contract
law.
Participants of the round table "Legislative, Normative, Legal
Base and Economy of Offshore Development" also listened to the
report of Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC about necessity to adopt Federal law
"On Oil Spill Response" prepared by specialists of Scientific
and Methodological Center "Informatika Riska".
September
17, 2009
Work of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference is going
on at Grand Hotel Europe. Participants of the Conference are represented
by about 200 largest Russian and foreign companies specializing in
offshore oil and gas production, scientific research centers and design
departments, producers of equipment and ships for shelf deposits development.
Meetings of four round tables that started their work yesterday will
be held today.
Four more round tables are going to start their work today - Shtokman
Gas Condensate Field - International Cooperation; Legislative, Normative,
Legal Base and Economy of Offshore Development; Industrial and Environmental
Safety; Promising Development Efforts of Young Scientists and Students.
Personnel Training.
September
16, 2009
Work of round tables goes on within framework of International
Exhibition and Conference RAO/CIS Offshore 2009.
Round table "Continental Shelf of Arctic Seas" gathered
large number of Conference participants.
As the representative of Gazprom OAO informed the Company had been
recently incrementing reserves by priority rates in comparison with
production rates. The state supports the company significantly; the
state transferred number of strategic perspective deposits to the
Company. Nowadays first priority fields for Gazprom are Shtokman field,
Priyamal shelf, shelf of the Pechora Sea and Sakhalin.
As for planned reserves increment in the nearest years 43% out of
them is referred to Arctic shelf. Priyamal shelf provides 61.2% of
this volume; Ob and Taz bays provide 23 %.
By expert estimates only two regions - the north of Sakhalin Island
and Priyamal shelf - are considered nowadays as profitable in case
of development by only one market participant. The remaining shelf
parts in other regions cannot be developed without effective participation
of the state.
The Company is searching for ways to reduce volume of capital investments.
Method of complex construction of onfield facilities is rather effective.
In particular it is necessary to create onshore supply bases, united
process system for preparation of hydrocarbons development and transportation
for all groups of fields. It allows reduction of number of onfield
facilities. Infrastructure can be still operated when reserves of
main fields decline and development of satellite fields starts.
September
16, 2009
Within framework of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference
at Grand Hotel Europe work of round tables has been started. Today
"Continental Shelf of Arctic Seas", "Continental Shelf
of Far Eastern Seas", "Continental Shelf of South Seas"
and "Transport System for Russian Arctic and Offshore Development"
will start working.
Participants of round tables will discuss status and perspectives
of the Russian oil and gas fields, opportunities of use of the Russian
and foreign technologies, problems of geological exploration and reserves
increment, environmental safety during shelf development.
Gazflot LLC will submit report about management of the project devoted
to floating drilling rigs construction within territory of Russia
for Arctic shelf development.
September
16, 2009
Yury KOMAROV, Shtokman Development AG, Chief Executive
Officer, made speech at the Second Plenary Session within framework
of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference. He informed that designs of the
first marine facilities to be constructed at Shtokman field have been
submitted for state expert review on the 1st of September 2009. Main
tender procedures have been opened; they are about 40 as per submitted
contracts.
The speaker emphasized: "Our goal is to submit complete package
of documentation in March, 2010 in order to take final investment
decision".
Development of Shtokman field is a complicated project; one of components
for its successful implementation is to provide opportunity of worthy
participation of the Russian industrial facilities in it. By engineering
complexity it is a unique project involving huge investments and large
technological and financial risks. This is the Russian project and
it will be implemented in Russia. Foreign companies having great experience
in marine project implementation will take part in it.
At the first stage of project preparation it is important develop
legislative basis and design documentation complying both with Russian
and international standards. It is necessary to solve problem of technologies
acquisition for innovative development of the Russian industry. It
is one of the key tasks, and implementation of similar projects will
be impossible without its accomplishment.
The project envisages unique structure of cooperation at which Gazprom
will finance 50 % of capital expenditures, render assistance in obtainment
of exclusive rights for license and regulate decision-taking of other
important issues.
Shtokman field development will require creation of powerful onshore
infrastructure. One of the largest LNG plants with capacity of 7.5
mln. tones will be constructed.
The speaker emphasized that important task to prepare project implementation
was to provide open tender processes on selection of subcontractors
and suppliers with priority given to the Russian companies provided
that their competitive ability is assured. Obligatory requirement
of Shtokman Development AG is the following: any Russian or foreign
subcontractor shall submit plan of the Russian participation and mechanism
of its implementation.
It is known that all marine projects subcontractors have sufficient
competitive ability and offer approximately similar price level, but
the preferred bidder shall attract as many Russian subcontractors
as possible.
Speaking about expectations presented to the Russian industry Yury
KOMAROV informed that many companies offered separate services to
Shtokman Development AG. Nevertheless it is not possible to arrange
working process with separate services offers; integration with Russian
industry and packaged deliveries and services are required.
September
16, 2009
Daria VASILEVSKAYA, Deputy Director of State Policy
in the
Geology and Subsoil Use Department of Ministry of Natural Resources
and Ecology of the Russian Federation, spoke at the Second Plenary
Session held within framework of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference.
She told about state policy in the area of subsoil use at the Russian
continental shelf. Mrs. VASILEVSKAYA emphasized that Arctic shelf
remained the only poorly studied territory containing vast hydrocarbon
reserves.
Work on legislation perfection is being carried out; in particular,
provision on composition of subsoil use subject is being clarified.
Also terminology needs correction. Even definition of shelf development
needs clarification.
It was mentioned in the speech that while establishing consortiums
for geologic exploration and shelf activities priority should be given
to companies having experience in development of marine deposits.
Mrs. VASILEVSKAYA informed that bill draft on procedure of permits
issue for drilling operations had been prepared.
September
16, 2009
The Second Plenary Session within framework of RAO/CIS
Offshore 2009 has started at Grand Hotel Europe.
Session participants will listen to reports about preparation of Russian
and foreign companies to development of Shtokman gas condensate field,
high technologies of operations in severe climatic conditions, international
cooperation to provide safety of oil and gas projects at the Barents
Sea.
Development of resource potential and economic infrastructure of Murmansk
region is one of the most important aspects for preparation of Arctic
shelf development.
September
15, 2009
The First Plenary Session held within framework of
RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference has completed its work at Congress
Hall of Smolny Cathedral. Tommorow the Conference will be continued
at Grand Hotel Europe and the Second Plenary Session will be held
there. Participants of nine round tables will discuss problems of
development oil and gas fields of Arctic and continental shelf.
September
15, 2009
Alexei KONTOROVICH, Academician of the Russian Academy
of Sciences, made speech at the First Plenary Session of RAO/CIS Offshore
Conference. In particular he said that in 2040-2050 main oil and gas
production centers will be moved to shelf area of the Arctic and Far
Eastern seas of Russia. In the nearest years large-scale works on
geologic survey of Arctic seas aquatic area will be started at these
shelf areas. By richness of oil and gas resources shelf of the Arctic
seas are superior to all remaining seas of the Earth.
Continental part of the Russian Arctic region, including Arkhangelsk
region, Yamal peninsula, flat part of Tajmyr, has not been yet studied
sufficiently. Works that have been recently performed by group of
companies showed that flat part of Tajmyr is richer in oil resources
as assumed earlier. These regions have unique oil and gas resources
and Russia has not started their development yet.
As per gas-geological zoning of the Russian territory Arctic shelf
regions are divided into the West Arctic and East Arctic shelf areas.
The first shelf area includes shelf of the Barents Sea, including
shelf of the Pechora Sea and Kara Sea. It is considered that West
Arctic shelf region is richer in hydrocarbons than East Arctic shelf
region including East Siberian Sea, Laptev Sea and Chukchee Sea. But
information on Eastern Arctic seas is so insufficient that their resource
appraisal will be increased essentially.
Recoverable oil reserves of the Arctic Ocean are more than 32 billion
tones of hydrocarbon equivalent but less than 92 billion tones of
hydrocarbon equivalent. As for free gas the range is within 55 trillion
and 154 trillion of cubic meters. We estimate that total amount of
hydrocarbons is about 140 billion tones of hydrocarbon equivalent.
Oil and gas resources of Arctic oil-and-gas-bearing super field, in
particular Eurasian shelf of the Arctic Ocean, can be compared with
the largest oil-and-gas-bearing fields of the world such as Persian
and West Siberian fields. Resource development of Russian Eurasian
shelf of the Arctic Ocean will permit Russia partial satisfaction
of demand for energy resources and fulfillment of export obligations
within framework of international agreements in the nearest decades,
especially in the second half of XXI century.
September
15, 2009
Victor ORLOV, the Chairman of Council of Federation
Committee on
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection informed in his speech
that in the period till 2013-2015 Russia faces the task to maintain
oil production volume of 486-495 million tones and to increase it
up to 685-745 million tones of cubic meters. At the second stage till
2020-2022 assumed production volume will reach 505-525 million tones
of oil and 803-837 billion cubic meters of gas. At the third stage
till 2030 production volume will reach 530-535 million tones of oil
and 885-940 billion cubic meters of gas. Main growth is expected due
to development of new oil and gas provinces in Western Siberia, at
Far East and offshore.
September
15, 2009
Within framework of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference
the First Plenary Session has been opened at Congress Hall of Smolny
Cathedral. Reports of representatives of oil and gas Russian and global
companies, state administration bodies, famous scientists and researchers
will be heard at it.
While opening Plenary Session Alexei KONTOROVICH, Academician, Research
Council of Russian Academy of Sciences for Geology, Oil and Gas Resources
Development, Chairman, emphasized: "Development of vast resources
of the Russian Arctic shelf is the most important task, which solution
is associated with multiple problems. It will include investment projects
of very large scale. Beachhead is waiting for us ashore as well. So
far Russia has been producing and is still producing 95% of gas in
Western Siberia. Gas industry of Russia has been based on production
of deep-lying dry gas of Senoman deposits. Now we are approaching
new regions and new depths. In Eastern and Western Siberia wet gas
will be produced at new depths and thus we face the task of creation
of powerful gas-processing industry, which strategy development is
still on the way. By petrochemical industry indices Russia ranks one
of the last positions in the world; but in the nearest future we will
produce raw material for petrochemical industry more than any country
in the world. Russia faces necessity to create unique petrochemical
industry. The present Conference we'll concentrate only at one problem
out of range of the most complicated problems; but this problem can
be compared in its complexity with outer space exploration - I speak
about development of oil and gas resources of the Arctic Ocean".
Victor ORLOV, Council of Federation Committee on Natural Resources
and Environmental Protection, Chairman, talked in his speech about
hydrocarbon reserves of Russia and necessity of multiple ramp-up of
exploration works.
September
15, 2009
Registration of First Plenary Session participants
is starting at Concert and Exhibition hall, Smolny Cathedral. First
Plenary Session within framework of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Conference
will start at 14.30.
September
15, 2009
The Exhibition opening took place within framework
of the 9th International Conference and Exhibition for Oil and Gas
Resources Development of the Russian Arctic and CIS Continental Shelf
RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 at Mikhajlovsky Manege. It displays investment
offshore field development projects: drilling equipment, floating
and underwater engineering facilities, designs for construction of
marine oil and gas production facilities, ice-technologies, shipbuilding
and environmental safety facilties.
Major Russian and foreign producing and servicing companies, scientific-research
centers and designing departments, producers of equipment and ships
for development of offshore fields take part in the exhibition.
September
15, 2009
The press conference "Development of Large-Scale
Oil and Gas Projects as the Feasible Way out of National Economy Crisis"
took place within framework of the 9th International Conference and
Exhibition for Oil and Gas Resources Development of the Russian Arctic
and CIS Continental Shelf RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 at Mikhajlovsky Manege.
Alexei KONTOROVICH, Academician, Research Council of Russian Academy
of Sciences for Geology, Oil and Gas Resources Development, Chairman;
Victor ORLOV, Council of Federation Committee on Natural Resources
and Environmental Protection; Chairman; Bengt Lie HANSEN, StatoilHydro
Russia, President and Pierre NERGARARIAN, Total Exploration and Production
Russie, Director General took part in it.
In his introduction speech Academician Alexei KONTOROVICH said: "The
International Conference and Exhibition for Oil and Gas Resources
Development of the Russian Arctic and Continental Shelf that is held
each two years has become traditional. At these conferences we summarise
unbdertaken works, assess perspectives, talk about new technologies
to be developped for succefful shwelf development. This is the way
our conference program has been drawn. The best representatives of
domestic and foreign companies will speak during it. I think that
participation in the confeence will help public to understand state
of affairs and specialists to see onward movement".
September
14, 2009
Official Opening Ceremony of International Conference
and Exhibition RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 will be held at Mikhailovsky
Manege on September, 15 at 11 a.m.
The following persons will take part in the Ceremony: Sergey Donskoy,
Deputy Minister of Natural Resouces and ecology of the Russian Federation;
Mikhail Ossevsky, Vice Governor of St.Petersburg; Viktor Orlov, Chairman
of Council of Federation Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection; Bengt Lie Hansen, President of StatoilHydro Russia; Pierre
Nerguararian, General Director of TOTAL E&P Russia, Alexei Kontorovich,
Academician, Chairman of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009 Program Committee;
Sergey Trofimov, President of RESTEC Exhibition Company.
September
11, 2009
Press-conference "Development of large-scale
oil & gas projects as a way to recover the national economy crisis"
on the occasion of International Conference and Exhibition RAO/CIS
Offshore 2009 Opening will be held at Mikhailovsky Manege on September,
15 at 11 a.m.
Speakers:
1. Alexei Kontorovich, Academician, Chairman of RAO/CIS Offshore 2009
Program Committee
2. Viktor Orlov, Chairman of Council of Federation Committee on Natural
Resources and Environmental Protection
3. Bengt Lie Hansen, President, StatoilHydro Russia
4. Pierre Nerguararian, General Director, TOTAL E&P Russia
5. Igor Kirsanov, Director General, RESTEC Exhibition Company
Press-Conference will cover on the following issues: large-scale oil
& gas projects development with participation of Russian and foreign
companies,
including Offshore development and its economic and social importance,
experience in international and interregional cooperation.
