Mr. Zolotukhin says Russia will develop its Arctic shelf projects starting in the west and moving on towards the east, and that the process will proceed over decades.
Talking about the position of Arkhangelsk Oblast in the Shtokman development process, the Statoil director says the region will play a central, but not leading, role. He believes the region’s strategic location together with the regional oil and gas service companies will be vital. He also says that the regional universities and intellectual capacities will be important for the region.
Murmansk Oblast will play the leading role in the development of the Shtokman project, Mr. Zolotukhin maintains.
Together with the Arkhangelsk regional administration, Statoil last year established the Sozvezdye supplier center, through which the company intends to strengthen ties with companies, authorities and universities in the region.
Source: BarentsObserver, 15.05.07
