Vladimir Putin launches operations at Filanovsky oil field
During his trip to the Astrakhan Region, RF President Vladimir Putin launched, via videoconference, commercial operation at the Vladimir Filanovsky oil field off the Caspian Sea shelf, says Kremlin.
“This is a serious, significant step in developing Russia's oil and gas industry, and for the Caspian Sea region it offers the promise of further development – not only its oil and gas sector but related enterprises as well”, said the President.
The field was discovered by LUKOIL in 2005. The ceremony was also attended by LUKOIL CEO Vagit Alekperov and Governor of the Astrakhan Region Alexander Zhilkin.
Earlier, during his visit to the Astrakhan Shipbuilding Production Association, the President toured the complex where supporting blocks are made for ice-resistant stationary platforms and learned about the production process. He also briefly spoke with workers.
The Astrakhan Shipbuilding Production Association is a production unit of the Caspian Energy Group. The company provides engineering, procurement, construction, and equipment installation services for developing off-shelf oil fields. The association boasts the region's largest floating dock with a lifting capacity of 5,400 tonnes and a non-propelled floating crane with a lifting capacity of 1,600 tonnes.
The Filanovsky field discovered in 2005 is the largest discovery 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. The field estimated reserves reach 220 million tonnes and 40 billion cbm of gas. Production volume at the plateau will be 6 million tons per annum.
