Murmansk, Arkhangelsk consolidate Shtokman positions

In a regional government session last week, Murmansk Governor Dmitriyenko stressed that there is no completion between Murmansk Oblast and Arkhangelsk in issues regarding the development of the Shtokman field.

-There is no, and will not be, competition between Murmansk and Arkhangelsk in issues regarding the development of this huge project, the governor stressed. –None of us will have the upper hand, we will act in the interests of the Russian Federation, he added, a press release from the regional press service informs.

Dmitriyenko also informed that he had agreed on telephone with Arkhangelsk Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk that the two regions from now on will fully consolidate positions on the project.

Both the two regions are nurturing major hopes for the huge gas field in the Barents Sea. While Murmansk Oblast is located closer to the field and will house most of the development facilities, Arkhangelsk has a well-developed shipbuilding industry as well as educational institutions.

Read also:Arkhangelsk-Shtokman cooperation agreement

Despite the three year delay announced by operator company Shtokman Development AG in February this year, and major uncertainties regarding the future of the international gas markets, the development of the Shtokman project appears to be steadily progressing. Last week, a delegation with representatives of the Murmansk regional administration and Gazprom paid a visit to Teriberka, the project hub located about 100 km northeast of Murmansk city.

According to Governor Dmiriyenko the construction of social infrastructure such as apartment, hospitals and schools will start in the course of this year, the regional press service informs.

According to offical plans, production at the field is to start in 2017

Read also:Gazprom lowers Shtokman budgets