Gazprom Neft Starts New Arctic Logistics Scheme
The first consignments of oil from the Novoportovskoye and Prirazlomnoye fields have been delivered to the Umba storage tanker, anchored in the Kola Bay, allowing the full-scale utilization of a new logistics scheme for the trans-shipment of oil produced by Gazprom Neft at its Arctic fields.
The positioning of this trans-shipment complex in the ice-free Kola Bay means efficiency is significantly improved as a result of reduced turnaround times on the double-hulled ice-class tanker’s return trips, delivering oil from the Novoportovskoye and Prirazlomnoye fields, with the standard fleet being used for onward delivery to consumers.
Implemented using the Umba floating storage and offloading vessel, separate collection and storage systems for oil from the Novoportovskoye and Prirazlomnoye fields allows greater flexibility in planning tanker consignment volumes. The maximum freight turnover that can be handled by the trans-shipment complex is up to 15 million tons of oil per year.
The Umba VLCC is, essentially, a moored oil trans-shipment complex with a total cargo capacity of around 300,000 tons, able to accommodate the simultaneous berthing of vessels on both sides. Its on-board infrastructure makes possible the intake, storage and trans-shipment of oil, and its full and timely customs and border clearance, as well as bunkering operations for shuttle-tankers and transporters.
The Umba has been fully refurbished to meet the climatic conditions of the Arctic Circle.
Oil trans-shipments are undertaken in full compliance with all ecological regulations and standards, with 24-hour support provided by a specialist vessel designed for the installation of floating booms during oil trans-shipments, as well as immediate oil spill response, should these occur, says Gazprom Neft.
The Umba is operated by RPK NORD LLC, under the Russian flag, and derives its name from the river of the same name in the Kola peninsula, Murmansk Oblast.
Anatoly Cherner, Gazprom Neft Deputy CEO for Logistics, Processing and Sales, commented: “The commissioning of a new logistics scheme for the trans-shipment of Arctic oil is a unique project for Russia, both in terms of efficiency as well as sheer scale, in managing the work of the tanker fleet under Arctic conditions. It also represents an opportunity for us to meet market demand through standard tanker consignments.”
Earlier this month, Gazpromneft Trading GmbH (a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft) agreed terms for the extension of its long-term supply contract for deliveries of ARCO oil (produced at its Prirazlomnoye field) throughout 2016. Pursuant to the contract, agreed with a major international company, Gazprom Neft supplied its fourth consignment of ARCO oil (a total 268,000 tons) to the international markets in the fourth quarter of 2016. The extended contract envisages the supply of eight to 12 100,000-ton consignments of ARCO oil this year.
Since starting commercial development at the field in 2014, the company has supplied European consumers with 17 consignments of ARCO oil, amounting to 1.1 million tons in total.