In August 2014 the oil product tankers SCF Yenisei and SCF Pechora, operated by OAO Sovcomflot, have begun transporting the first oil from the Novoportovskoye Oilfield, located in the Gulf of Ob, in the Far North, Russia.
Gulf of Ob is the largest bay of the Kara Sea. It is located at the mouth of the Ob River and bordered in the west by the Yamal Peninsula. The harsh Arctic climate means that the Gulf of Ob is packed with ice until July, with the bay beginning to freeze over once again in October.
SCF Yenisei is currently loading oil while SCF Pechora is being prepared to start cargo operations shortly. Both vessels are under charter to Gazprom Neft.
SCF Yenisei and SCF Pechora, with a deadweight of approximately 47,000 tonnes each, are the largest vessels currently operating in this area of the Far North. Both these Russian-flagged oil tankers have a high ice class (1A).
Their voyages will include transits along the Northern Sea Route. During their operation, experts from SCF Group will continue to study this high latitude route. They will also work on arrangements for long-term operations supporting large-scale projects, involving the export of hydrocarbons from the Yamal Peninsula, for Gazprom Neft LLC.
Evgeniy Ambrosov , First Deputy General Director of OAO Sovcomflot, noted:
“The start of oil exports from the Novoportovskoye Oilfield, using Sovcomflot’s ships, forms part of the company’s strategy to steadily increase the provision of transportation and logistics services supporting the largest oil deposits located in the far north of Russia. SCF Group also continues to develop the use of high-latitude Arctic routes from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans.
“This year, the company plans to make a number of commercial voyages along the Northern Sea Route, continuing to accumulate experience in the transportation of large cargo consignments via Arctic routes, using our high-tech fleet and experienced crews to address the unique challenges faced by domestic oil and gas companies.”