NOVATEK of Russia announced that the Chairman of NOVATEK’s Management Board, Leonid Mikhelson, and the General Director of the State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM, Sergey Kirienko, have signed a General Cooperation Agreement in Moscow.
The Agreement formalizes the Parties intent to develop a mutually beneficial partnership to coordinate the following lines of investment and innovation activities:
Novatek and ROSATOM have a mutual interest and intent to develop cooperation in organizing continuous and environmentally safe icebreaker support to the vessels navigating through the Northern Sea Route, in particular, to and from the port of Sabetta when transporting construction cargoes and end products of the LNG plant on the Yamal peninsula. The Agreement envisages conclusion of a long-term services contract for icebreaker support through the Northern Sea Route for the period of at least 15 years.
The Chairman of OAO NOVATEK’s Management Board, Leonid Mikhelson noted: “The Company is active in the Arctic Region and has pioneered the transportation of hydrocarbons by tankers through the Arctic Ocean’s Northern Sea Route. We are planning to scale up operations and develop our hydrocarbon fields on the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas and in the Gulf of Ob. A mutually beneficial cooperation with ROSATOM reinforces our confidence in implementing our long-term development plans and underscores our commitment to conducting all of our operation in a sustainable development manner consistent with industry best practices.”
The General Director of ROSATOM State Corporation, Sergei Kirienko said: “One of ROSATOM’s main goals is to develop the Northern Sea Route. That is why we are building a new generation of nuclear-powered icebreakers, guaranteeing reliable operation of this major traffic artery in the long-term period. This is a mutually beneficial agreement – for ROSTATOM flot it is important to have a stable demand for its services and for such companies as NOVATEK, it is essential to be confident that its hydrocarbon production is transported the most effective way”.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, November 12, 2012; Image: Novatek