МурманшельфИнфо. 2009, N 5.

28 ÿíâàðü 2009 ¹ 5 ÌóðìàíøåëüôÈíôî In majority of these regions water depth is very shallow, which together with ice imposes great challenges on operations and technology used in the fields. When strict environmental requirements, harsh conditions, long distances and inadequate infrastructure are added to the equation, the amount of challenges becomes huge. The majority of the technology required to realise these projects still needs to be developed. The purpose of Oil and Gas Working group of the Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Co-operation is to promote co-operation between Finnish and Russian companies and organisations in developing oil and gas resources in arctic and shallow waters that require new technologies. The group aims to develop new technologies and products, improve productional co-operation and form Join Ventures. An extensive study of the environmental conditions and ecological state of the Barents and Kara Seas was conducted in co-operation with research organisations from Murmansk region in the 90’s. The study has provided an excellent design base for planning operations and development of new technologies. The results of the co- operation have been put to use in designing various drilling and production platforms, production structures and different kinds of maintenance, auxiliary and transportation vessels. The future aim of the working group is to develop joint construction and maintenance operations in Russia. Finnish design and other companies are interested in participating in developing Russian shipbuilding industry to better meet the needs of offshore industry. After the 1990’s the emphasis of Finnish- Russian research co-operation has been on development of transportation systems in arctic waters that freeze. Between 2003 and 2005 organisations within Oil and Gas working group actively took part in multinational EU-project called ARCOP. The aim of the project was to develop oil and gas transportations in the Northern sea route, and the project was initiated by the Finnish Oil production in Russian Federation is moving to a new environment, the Arctic Shelf. Development projects especially in the Barents and Pechora Seas, Yamal Peninsula and Ob bay are keenly followed in Finland. Arctic Challenges L. LAIHO, Managing Director Offshore Technology Center, Finland Quattrogemini Ltd, a Design-Build and Project Management contractor from Finland built recently in Nakhodka the Concrete Gravity Base Structures for two oil and gas production platforms contracted by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (subsidiary of Shell) as part of Sakhalin II project. side of the working group. The results of ARCOP – project form the basis of the “Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment” coordinated by the Arctic Council. The recommendations of the ARCOP –project have also acted as the starting point for the education of ice navigators for the oil tankers trafficking in the Finnish Gulf. Finnish companies have also participated in developing the first arctic oil transportation system in the world, and the first shipments of crude oil have been delivered from Varandei oil terminal without the help of ice-breakers. Finnish companies will also take part in building two arctic drilling platforms in Vyborg shipyard. The strengths of Finnish offshore industry lie in the in-depth knowledge of arctic conditions. Finnish companies possess world class knowledge on ice conditions, and the ability to design and build ice- strengthened structures and vessels ranging from ice-breakers to research vessels. Finnish companies also have long-term experience in managing large-scale projects and delivering drilling and production equipment to international projects in the Caspian, Sakhalin and other regions. The vulnerability of arctic nature is taken into consideration in the Finnish offshore industry and the knowhow regarding prevention of oil damages is very high. Mutual experience, familiarity with each other’s customs and cultures assists the fluency of Russian-Finnish co-operation. By joining our resources and abilities we can expect great results. International cooperation