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Novaya Zemlya to host Shtokman supply base?

Novaya Zemlya

ARKHANGELSK: The strictly closed and militarized archipelago Novaya Zemlya is still under consideration as location for the supply base for the Shtokman gas field. Negotiations with the military authorities are going well, says CEO in Shtokman Development AG Yury Komarov.

Location

- We have a constructive dialogue with the military authorities on the possibilities for establishing a supply base at Novaya Zemlya, Mr. Komarov said at the Arkhangelsk International Forum of Oil and Gas Suppliers on Tuesday.

Novaya Zemlya is located 360 km closer to the Shtokman field than the coast of the Kola Peninsula.

Speculations have long swirled about the possible use of facilities, ports and bases at the highly militarized Arctic archipelago in the Shtokman Development. Leader of the local administration Vladimir Smetanin in July 2009 claimed that this is the most ideal place for a supply base, because of the islands’ well developed social and transport infrastructure, as BarentsObserver wrote.

Read alsoShtokman airport at Novaya Zemlya

Before a civilian supply base for gas field development can be a reality on Novaya Zemlya, the strictly militarized status of the area has to be changed and the ban on foreign visitors cancelled.

Several places now step up bids for base functions in the Shtokman development. In addition to the Russian towns of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk is the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes, which maintains that its ice-free and deep-sea fjord can provide valuable service functions.