Talking Shtokman with Ministry of Defence
The talks are progressing “extremely slowly”, a representative of the Shtokman Development AG admits.
The SDAG would like to use the Rogachevo airfield at the Novaya Zemlya in connection with the Shtokman field development. However, talks with the airfield owner, the Ministry of Defence, progress “extremely slowly”, SDAG representative Olivie Kudennik admitted in a meeting with the regional government of Arkhangelsk last Friday.
The Novaya Zemlya archipelago remains a militarized area strictly controlled by the Defence Ministry.
Kudennik also confirmed that the company is considering to use the Naryan-Mar airport in the Nenets Autonomous Area and the Severny airfield at the Kolguyev island, a press release from the Arkhangelsk administration reads. However, also here, the SDAG is experiencing “serious difficulties” with the establishment of access points for international flights, the company representative said.
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Regional authorities in Arkhangelsk have long promoted its possible key role in the giant Arctic gas project. In Friday’s meeting, Deputy Governor Aleksey Alsufiev promised to support the company in its talks with the Defence Ministry. He also proposed to the SDAG several alternative logistical solutions, among them the use of the Arkhangelsk airport, as well as the Peschanka airport at Kolguyev.
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The Peschanka airport was opened in 2002 by the Arktikneft company and is used primarily in connection with the management of the nearby Peschanoozero oil field.
The Shtokman Development AG, a joint venture of Gazprom, Total and Statoil, is not only struggling with the Russian Ministry of Defence, but is also experiencing a number of internal difficulties, as well as challenges in relations with Russian federal authorities. As previously reported, the company is significantly behind schedule with its final investment decision.
In his meeting with the Arkhangelsk administration, Mr. Kamennik indicated that a decision might be announced after an upcoming SDAG meeting on the 29 March. According to Regnum, also Gazprom leader Aleksey Miller signals that the decision will be made at the meeting this week.
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However, another postponement seems like a more likely scenario. As previously reported, the final investment decision might not come before after the formal takeover of Vladimir Putin as president in April.
