Gazprom Neft Increases Transportation Capacity from Novoportovskoye Field

Gazprom Neft has begun construction of the second section of a pressure-pipeline from the Novoportovskoye field to Cape Kammeny (located on the shore of the Gulf of Ob, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region), for onward shipment to customers by sea. Some 530 mm in diameter and running to a length of 105 kilometres, the pipeline will, once complete, have a total capacity of more than 5.5 million tonnes of oil per year — with capacity for further expansion, if required. Work on the pipeline is scheduled for completion in 2016.

Laying of the pipeline will be fully compliant with international best practice, and will utilise a variety of engineering solutions to minimise potential environmental impacts and guarantee reliable operation under the demanding climatic conditions of the Arctic. A particular feature of its construction will include crossing points for migrating animals. In addition to this, pipeline segments will also be laid on special sliding supports, to protect the underlying permafrost from any heating effects on the one hand, and to protect the pipeline from any damage arising from changes in the thawed permafrost, on the other.

The pipeline will be equipped with real-time management, monitoring, and heating systems. Once brought into operation, the pipeline’s status will be monitored round the clock and, in the event of a signal indicating a problem arising, the transportation of crude will be shut off in that specific section, to allow troubleshooting.

Construction of the pipeline has been undertaken exclusively with material and equipment from Russian producers and suppliers and, following a competitive tender, contractors appointed with specific experience on similar projects under the conditions of the North East — Stroytransgaz LLC and KomplektMontazhStroi OOO.

Construction of the first section of the pipeline — a 600,000-mtoe-capacity line from the Novoportovskoye field to Cape Kammeny — was completed in mid-2014. Construction of infrastructure at the field and on the shore of the Gulf of Ob allowed the first despatch of oil from Novy Port, by sea, in summer 2014. Wide-ranging field development is expected to begin in 2016, once construction of a terminal for the year-round despatch of oil is completed.

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