Export of Russian crude by Arctic transport to raise to 18 million tonnes by 2013

By 2013, export of Russian crude by Arctic transport to make some 18 million tonnes by 2013, Mikhail Grigoryev, Director of Geologicial Consulting Center Gekon, member of Advisory Committee on Fuel-and-Energy Complex told at the conference Arctic Shipping 2008. As of today, the volume of crude oil transportation via Arctic does not exceed 600,000 tonnes per year. According to Mr. Grigoryev, the increase is to be possible after the implementation of all the announced projects. In particular, LUKOIL plans to start crude production at Yuzhnoye Khylchuyu Field in Timano-Pechora region. Major regions focused on export are the Northern part of the Western Siberia, Timano-Pechora region, the Pechora Sea shelf, from which crude cannot be delivered to Russian refineries.