A Gazprom delegation headed by Yury Shamalov, Director General of Gazflot (Gazprom’s wholly owned subsidiary) took part in a solemn ceremony dedicated to the laying at the Vyborg Shipbuilding Plant of the first of two semi-submersible platforms for drilling production wells on the Shtokman field.

“Today we took another important step towards developing the Russian Arctic shelf resources and shaping a new oil and gas production center there. Implementation of the Shtokman project being prioritized and strategic for Gazprom will enable the Company not only to diversify supplies of pipeline and liquefied gas to the markets of the Atlantic basin countries, but also to bolster Gazprom’s major player position on the LNG market.

To develop the Arctic shelf fields Gazprom will utilize only the most advanced and high-technology equipment satisfying the Company’s highest technological and environmental standards. Laying of the first drilling platform exactly in Russia represents a vivid example of successful cooperation between Gazprom and Russian shipbuilding companies.

Implementation of Gazprom’s plans on further developing the Arctic shelf as a new oil and gas production province predetermines the Company’s demand for developing its own drilling and production platforms, technological fleet and vessels for LNG transportation. Meeting this challenge Gazprom will fully utilize the potential of Russian machine building enterprises,” said Yury Shamalov.