rosneft.ru
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation has postponed for two or three years all drilling operations on Russia's Arctic Shelf under Gazprom and Rosneft licenses, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Denis Khramov said when speaking at Sakhalin oil and gas conference, RIA Novosti reported.
Khramov said that the postponement of drilling operations led to an increase in the number of wells that the companies would need to drill in subsequent years. Thus, in 2019 the number of such wells will have increased from 19 to 28, according to the deputy minister.
Read alsoRussia admits doomsday scenario of $20 per barrelPreviously, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the Russian Energy Ministry had publicly acknowledged for the first time the deficit in drilling rigs and spare parts in Russia due to the sanctions policy. Oil companies may see shortage of 20 floating platforms in they continue exploration according to announced plans.
Read alsoShell stops Arctic activity after 'disappointing' testsRosneft and Gazprom, the largest license holders in the Arctic, are agreeing with the Environment Ministry to postpone operations under their offshore licenses against a backdrop of the crisis. Other players are preparing for the deficit. According to experts, the situation may be resolved by importing used equipment from the countries that have not imposed sanctions against Russia.