Lukoil days away from first oil at Caspian Sea project

Lukoil, Russia’s largest privately-held oil company is set to produce first oil from its Caspian Sea project.

More than a decade since making the discovery, the company now expects to bring its Vladimir Filanovsky field online within days.

According to Tass news agency, which cited Azat Shamsuarov, Senior Vice President for Oil and Gas Production, the first oil is expected this month, with the connection to the Transneft pipeline system expected by the end of September.

The Filanovsky field is, according to Lukoil, one of the largest discoveries in Russia in the past 25 years. It is located in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, 220 km away from Astrakhan.

Water depth in the field area ranges from 7 to 11 meters. Production volume at the plateau will be 6 million tons per year.

Lukoil recently put into service three ice-class vessels in support of its Caspian Sea oil and gas activities. The vessels Bumi Uray, Bumi Pokachi and Bumi Naryan-Mar, delivered by Bumi Armada, are being used at the Vladimir Filanovsky field.

The field is being developed using several bridge-linked platforms and living quarter modules. According to Tass, Lukoil will invest $13.6 billion in the development between 2016 and 2045.

Lukoil expects peak production at the field will be 120.000 barrels per day.

Offshore Energy Today Staff