Representatives of the SDAG yesterday confirmed that the Rogachevo Airport at Novaya Zemlya could be used in connection with the field development. That information was revealed in a meeting in Arkhangelskyesterday.
Speculations have long swirled about the possible use of facilities, ports and bases at the highly militarized Arctic archipelago in the Shtokman Development. BarentsObserver previously reported that the SDAG wants to establish a service base on the islands.
The Novaya Zemlya archipelago consists of two major island, both of which are administered by Arkhangelsk Oblast. Its population is about 2,700 (2002), most of whom live in the Belushya Guba settlement. The Rogachevo airport is a military air base located 9 km northeast of Belushya Guba. It was originally used as a staging base for intercontinental bomber flights. The base developed an interceptor role during the 1960s, partly to deter SR-71 operations in the Arctic region. Rogachevo’s primary operating unit is the 641 Gv IAP (641st Guards Interceptor Aviation Regiment), Wikipedia informs.
