The new type of oil extracted on the Russian shelf – ARCO (Arctic Oil) – was delivered to the world market. It is extracted on the Prirazlomny field, Russia’s only project of hydrocarbon resources production on the Arctic shelf. The first batch of oil was shipped on April 18, 2014.
“Gasprom has entered a new stage of local oil development. This is of great importance for strengthening of Russia’s positions at the world oil markets. We are able to deliver oil to almost any corner of the world,” said chairman of Board of Gasporom company.
The firs batch of oil totaled 70,000 tons. The tanker Mikhail Ulyanov delivered it to the consumers. This year it is planned to ship over 300,000 tons of oil from the field.
One of Europe’s biggest energy companies has bought the first batch. Its name is not disclosed yet. Oil wil be sold on the basis of the contract. As extraction will increase on the Prirazlomny field, part of the oil is going to be sold on the basis of long-term contracts. The new ARCO oil brand was marketed among the petroleum processors of the North Western Europe in quarter 1, 2014.
The Prirazlomny oil field is located in the Pechorsk Sea, 60- km away from the coast. The extractible oil resources total 71.96 million tons and it is planned to extract about 6 million tons a year (will be ensured after 2020). On December 20, 2013 Gasprom started oil production on the field from the offshore sleetproof platform Prirazlomny.
The Prirazlomny platform has been designed and built in Russia by order of Gasprom. It was designed to be used in harsh weather conditons, it meets the strictest safety regulations and is able to withstand ice.
The project is operated by Gasprom Neft and the user of the bowels of earth is Gasprom NeftShelf (100% daughter company of Gasprom).
