Sovcomflot takes part in Sakhalin Oil and Gas Conference 2017
A delegation from PAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group) headed by Evgeny Ambrosov, Senior Executive Vice-President and COO of Sovcomflot, took part in the 21st annual Sakhalin Oil and Gas Conference, which was held in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on 27-29 September, SCF says in a press release.
The key theme of the conference was the importance of innovation, efficiency and cooperation for the development of oil and gas projects in Sakhalin and the Russian Far East. The event was attended by representatives from major oil and gas companies operating in the region, such as: Rosneft; Gazprom; Gazprom Neft; Sakhalin Energy and Exxon Neftegas, whose projects have for many years been successfully serviced by Sovcomflot’s vessels. Key speakers at the conference included: Kirill Molodtsov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Energy; Ilya Trunin, Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister; Pavel Zavalny, Chairman of the State Duma Committee of Energy; Oleg Kozhemyako, Sakhalin Governor, and Dmitry Kurochkin, Vice-President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During the conference, Evgeny Ambrosov moderated the session “Transport infrastructure. Shipping. Shipbuilding." In his speech, he focused on the key role which Sakhalin and the Russian Far East as a whole have been playing in implementation of Sovcomflot's strategy, which is aimed at greater participation in technically challenging high-margin segments of the shipping industry. In recent years, Sovcomflot has been steadily increasing the share of its total revenues derived from long-term contracts servicing major oil and gas projects. Originally, it was Sakhalin that enabled Sovcomflot to turn a new leaf in its history when, exactly 11 years ago in October 2006, the company's tankers began transporting crude oil from the Sakhalin-1 project.
Evgeny Ambrosov said:
“Gradually implementing projects that were increasingly challenging, both in terms of fleet operating conditions and in terms of the technologies used, Sovcomflot has become the world's biggest operator of ice-class vessels. Today, such vessels represent more than half of the company’s fleet, 76 vessels out of 149.”
Sovcomflot’s experience in safely operating vessels under the most adverse climatic and navigational conditions is duly appreciated by the market. Evgeny Ambrosov informed the conference guests that just a few days before, SCF Group was named ‘Tanker Operator of the Year’ at the Lloyd’s List Global Awards 2017 ceremony. According to the judges, Sovcomflot “shines in a trade that has high barriers to entry and has prospered whilst operating in some of the world’s most difficult waters environmentally.”
Sovcomflot is increasing its presence in the Russian Far East, a region that is a top-priority for the company, Evgeny Ambrosov stated. Already in 2017 the company had two new state-of-the-art ice-breaking supply vessels (IBSVs) delivered to the Sea of Okhotsk, both serving under long-term contracts with Sakhalin Energy, the operator of Sakhalin-2. By the end of 2017, another two IBSVs are scheduled to be put into operation bringing the total number of SCF vessels in the Russian Far East to 20.
Meanwhile a subdivision of SCF Group is actively developing in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, which manages the company's fleet in the region and provides operational cooperation with charterers. As of now, Sovcomflot is the largest shipping company employer in the Sakhalin region, providing jobs for 987 seamen and shore personnel. Beginning in 2018, SCF’s office at Sakhalin will also become the Company’s principal crew recruitment office for the Russian Far East.
The strategic partnership of Sovcomflot and the Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University, the key institute for the whole maritime education system of the Russian Far East, is still actively developing. In particular, Evgeny Ambrosov reminded the conference participants that in 2017 Sovcomflot and the university, with support from Sakhalin Energy, signed an agreement to establish a joint “Floating Laboratory” based aboard Gennadiy Nevelskoy, an ice-breaking platform supply vessel owned by Sovcomflot.
The Sakhalin Oil and Gas Conference 2017 closed with the exhibition participants’ awards ceremony, which accompanied the business element of the event. Sovcomflot’s exposition was awarded a special diploma as the Best Exhibition Stand.
PAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group) is one of the world's leading shipping companies, specialising in the transportation of crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas, as well as servicing offshore upstream oil and gas installations and equipment. The Group’s fleet comprises 149 vessels with a total deadweight of over 13.1 million tonnes. The company is registered in St. Petersburg with offices in Moscow, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, London, Limassol, and Dubai.
The Group offers a wide range of vessels in the market segments most demanded by major Russian oil and gas companies. With its own technical development and unique approach to advanced technologies, Sovcomflot can meet the most demanding customer requirements, providing effective transportation for oil & gas companies.
