25-09-08 In the period 2009-2011, Gazprom will spend about 30 % of all its construction investments in the Bovanenkovskoe field in the Yamal Peninsula. The field development is progressing according to plans, Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller said during a visit to the region.
The construction of the pipeline to the huge Bovanenkovskoe gas field in the Yamal Peninsula has been started and the railway line to the same field is progressing as planned, Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller confirmed in a meeting with regional Governor Yuri Neyolov.

In the meeting with the leader of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Mr Miller said that the construction of the most complicated part of the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta pipeline has been started. The company this summer started the laying of an underwater pipeline under the Baydarat Bay, an arm of the Kara Sea located on western side of the Yamal Peninsula. The 1,420 mm diameter pipes are part of the 1,100 km long pipeline which will connect the gas-rich peninsula with the rest of the Russian gas pipeline.
Miller said that 20 km of pipelines already have been laid across the bay. A total of 72 km of pipeline will be needed to cross over to the western shore, Gazprom informs.

Infrastructure
The gas company now also confirms that the construction of the Ob-Bovanenkovo railway is progressing. The main part of the bridge which is to cross the major Yuribey River is completed.
Also roads leading to the field, a new airport, necessary telecommunications, as well as a new hospital are under development, Gazprom informs.

Necessary field development
"The launch of the Bovanenkovo field in 2011 means the start of a new era in the development of Russian gas industry -- the opening of the giant fields in Yamal, which has major importance for the strengthening of the country's energy security," Aleksey Miller said in the meeting in Salekhard.
"The creation of a brand new strategic gas production centre in Yamal and the construction of the Northern Gas Transport Corridor are among the most important priorities for Gazprom," he added.

The development of the Yamal fields is necessary for the Gazprom to reach its ambitious goals on gas production increase.
Alone the Bovanenkovo field will produce an annual 115 bn cm of gas. When fully developed, the Yamal peninsula will produce a total of about 225 bn cm per year, thus giving a necessary boost to Gazprom's total production.