Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in the ceremony for commissining the Vostok Oil project – a new oil and gas province. Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin briefed the President on the project’s implementation, joining the ceremony from the Bukhta Sever port, the world’s northernmost port (Taimyr Peninsula, Krasnoyarsk Territory), via video link. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also made some comments. During the event, the President gave the go-ahead for the first crude oil loading into the Arctic tanker Valentin Pikul.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends,
The other day we talked at the Eastern Economic Forum about the large-scale plans of developing the Far East, Arctic territories, the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route as its part.
And today we can see their specific implementation: a mainline oil pipeline was opened at one of the largest Arctic projects, Vostok Oil in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The first oil went through it to the Arctic Ocean, to the new terminal at the Bukhta Sever port to be loaded into a tanker.
I congratulate you on this major, significant event for the Arctic region as well as for entire Russia. A very important step has been made in carrying out the Vostok Oil project, in developing, without exaggeration, a new oil province of a global scale.
The new oil pipeline connects two oil deposits, Vankor and Payakha, to the Bukhta Sever port. Total production capacity of the first stage of the port terminal alone is 30 million tonnes of oil a year, and after the terminal becomes fully operational, it will significantly grow. This way Bukhta Sever will be the largest northern oil port in the world.
I want to thank everybody who took part in building the pipeline, the first stage of the port terminal and in implementing the Vostok Oil project as a whole for their diligent work and excellent results.
I know that you had to work in severe frost and fierce winds; to build a special dam to protect the bay, to apply unique technological solutions. Nevertheless, despite the challenges, the designers, managers and builders successfully coped with the tasks set and ensured the necessary pace and quality of construction.
I should specifically note that the project is being carried out with due account of modern environmental standards and requirements for protecting the unique Arctic nature.
The new oil pipeline and the port terminal will make it possible to increase shipments along the Northern Sea Route. Last year, 37 million tonnes of cargoes were transported along the route, and by the end of the current decade annual cargo flow should reach 70 million tonnes a year, i.e. almost double the current amount.
I would like to say that the implementation of the Vostok Oil project is part of large‑scale efforts to develop Siberia, the Arctic, and the Far East, including the creation of the Trans‑Arctic Transport Corridor. It will create a single route by linking the Baltic region, the Arctic and the Far East, opening a short, profitable, and – this is crucially important in the current challenging international situation – a reliable and safe path to the world’s largest markets. It will enable us to launch new major energy and other projects in the Arctic, build up the region’s industrial, raw material, and production base, and not only to extract but also to process natural resources here.
New icebreakers and ice‑class vessels are being built for year‑round navigation along the Trans‑Arctic Transport Corridor. By 2030, the domestic icebreaker fleet will be augmented by three serial universal nuclear‑powered icebreakers of the Arktika project and the ultra‑powerful nuclear icebreaker Rossiya of the Lider project. At the same time, we are developing the cargo and emergency rescue fleet, and the satellite constellation. The logistics infrastructure of the ports of the Baltic, Barents, and Kara seas, as well as in the Pacific Ocean, is being upgraded.
Our agenda includes integration of the Arctic sea terminals with railway and inland waterways, expansion of opportunities for uninterrupted northern supply to the Arctic regions, and for coastwise and transit transportation of goods from Central Russia, the Urals, and Siberia to be delivered here with imports going back.
We will continue to systematically and consistently build a modern, convenient logistics space for the Arctic and Far Eastern regions.
I would like to note that among the unconditional priorities is the improvement of Arctic cities and the creation of attractive, comfortable living conditions for people there, including through master plans. These programmes will also contribute to the comprehensive development of Arctic territories.
In short, there is a lot of important and responsible work ahead. And I am confident that everything planned will undoubtedly be carried out.
I would like to once again express my gratitude to the builders and everyone involved in the implementation of the Vostok Oil project, and to greet you and your colleagues, all those who work in Russia’s oil and gas sector, on the upcoming holiday, the Oil and Gas Industry Worker’s Day.
The oil and gas sector is one of the key industries in our country’s economy. It plays an important role in strengthening Russia’s energy, industrial, and export potential, in the development of regions, and in improving people’s quality of life.
I want to thank everyone employed in the industry — researchers, geologists, engineers, builders, and workers — for their dedication. And, of course, I wish you new successes and all the very best.
Thank you.
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