SCF said that the ‘SCF Yenisei’ was loading last week, while ‘SCF Pechora’ was being prepared to start cargo operations. Both vessels were under charter to Gazprom Neft.
The two vessels are the largest currently operating in this area of the Far North, the shipowner claimed. Both the Russian-flagged oil tankers have a high ice class (1A).
Their voyages will include transits along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and during their operation, SCF experts will continue to study this high latitude route. They will also work on arrangements for long-term operations supporting large-scale projects, involving the export of hydrocarbons from the Yamal Peninsula, for Gazprom Neft.
Yevgeniy Ambrosov, SCF first deputy general director, noted: “The start of oil exports from the Novoportovskoye Oilfield, using Sovcomflot’s ships, forms part of the company’s strategy to steadily increase the provision of transportation and logistics services supporting the largest oil deposits located in the far north of Russia. SCF Group also continues to develop the use of high-latitude Arctic routes from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans.
“This year, the company plans to make a number of commercial voyages along the Northern Sea Route, continuing to accumulate experience in the transportation of large cargo consignments via Arctic routes, using our high-tech fleet and experienced crews to address the unique challenges faced by domestic oil and gas companies,” he said.