19 March 2014, News Wires – Russian player Gazprom Neft has joined a host of industry stalwarts in the Arctic Response Technology joint industry programme.
Gazprom Neft becomes the first Russian oil company to joined the group aimed at researching the possible effects of spills in the fragile waters of the Arctic.
Others already in the group, which was launched in 2012, are: Anglo-Dutch supermajor Shell, UK supermajor BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips of the US, Norway’s Statoil, Eni of Italy and North Caspian Operating Company.
Vadim Yakovlev, first deputy chief executive of Gazprom Neft, said: “Developing oilfields in the Arctic region, including off-shore, requires advanced technological solutions for production, ensuring environmental safety and reducing any environmental impact.
“The joint research programme will enable us to employ international best practice and global expertise in constant improving environmental security systems in the Arctic.”
Related company Gazprom Neft Shelf owns the production platform in the Pechora Sea off Russia that Greenpeace activists tried last year to board, leading to their arrest and prolonged detention in a high-profile protest against Arctic drilling.
– Upstream