Rosneft Launches Environmentally Sensitive Pechora Sea Oil Search

 A 3D CDP seismic survey covering 1,200 square km is being carried out by three field exploration parties from Yuzhmorgeologiya.

Pechora Sea (Russian: Печо́рское мо́ре, or Pechorskoye More), is a sea at the northwest of Russia, the southeastern part of the Barents Sea, blocked by floating ice from November to June.

Rosneft has begun offshore exploration at the South Russky license block in the Pechora Sea

The seismic survey vessels. Iskatel 5, Vyborgsky and Petrogradsky as well as some 20 auxiliary vessels are involved in the project. Work will run through October 2012.

Rosneft is carrying out its exploration programme in the Pechora Sea in strict compliance with Russian environmental regulations and license terms.

Earlier, the environmental aspects of the survey relating to protection and preservation of marine fauna were discussed at a meeting of the Atlantic Walrus Preservation Advisory Group, which was set up by the Russian branch of WWF. Rosneft experts presented their report on steps to preserve the Atlantic walrus during 3D CDP seismic survey at the South Russky license block, which won praise from the expert community.

The key measures include: comprehensive environmental monitoring, halting work and subsequently carrying out a soft launch of pneumatic guns in case animals are detected less than 500 metres from seismic survey equipment – for baleen whales the safety zone is extended to 1,400 meters.