President of Russia Vladimir Putin (center) and vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Laverov (right) protect the Baikal from president of Transneft Semen Vainshtok (left).
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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Savior of the Baikal
// Vladimir Putin marks out new route for pipeline
At a meeting on the socio-economic development of Siberia yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested to Transneft president Semen Vainshtok that the new oil pipeline to China be rerouted to the north of Lake Baikal. Kommersant special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov was present at that meeting. It seemed to him that the president's decision came as a surprise.
Before entering the auditorium, Putin called Russian Academy of Sciences president Yury Osipov and vice president Nikolay Laverov out into the hallway. They discussed something there nervously. Then the president entered. The meeting began with criticism of the socio-economic conditions of the region. The standard of living there is only 85 percent of the Russian national average (which is none too high any way). Demographic problems are so serious that they seem insolvable, and it is unclear who would even try. Investment is leaving the region. The construction of the Taishet-Nakhodka oil pipeline and improvement of the existing transport infrastructure could change that situation.
Minister of Regional Development Vladimir Yakovlev proposed a federal program for the development of Siberia. Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref and Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin opposed the idea, saying it would be ineffective.
“In reality, the picture of the apocalypse that has been painted is not required for implementation,” the president said. “We have every chance of improving the situation and we must do that. We know very well,” he continued, turning to address the members of the government, “that various problems connected with implementing large-scale projects, including ecological problems, are all too often connected with poor conditions on world markets. They are trying to limit us on the North, the South, the West. The countries of the Asia-Pacific region are growing at tremendous rates, and they need us!”
Transneft president Semen Vainshtok spoke next. He outlined the project to construct a pipeline from Siberia to Nakhodka in some detail, and spoke about the branch to China and the need for oil loading terminals. He said that 28 regional organizations were involved in the project. He moved on the construction of the pipeline within 800 meters of Lake Baikal. Residents of Irkutsk Region have been protesting that decision for months and were unexpectedly supported by regional Governor Alexander Tishanin. Transneft in the meantime gave received all necessary permits to carry out the work. It remained only to receive the blessing of the president at that meeting.
“We have set up a ESPO [Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean] Management Center in Angarsk and we are ready to begin implementing the project on Friday,” Vainshtok said.
“When will you finish it?” the president asked.
“By 2008.”
“At what distance should the pipeline system pass Lake Baikal?”
“We can go 800 meters from Baikal.”
“Vladimir Ivanovich” the president addressed Russian Railways president Yakunin. “At what distance from the shore of Baikal do oil shipments on the railroad pass?”
“Ten times closer than the Transneft project,” Yakunin answered, obviously prepared for the question.
“I understand that we have minimized the risks,” the president said.
“The likelihood of an accident on the pipeline is 100,000 times less than on the railroad,” Vainshtok answered.
Irkutsk Governor Tishanin was given the floor next. “For the sake of objectivity, it should be noted that on the railroad is fully protected against a possible incident by the security forces. But the pipeline project goes through seismically dangerous areas and there is no way to protect it,” Tishanin said.
The next step was for the scholars to approve the project. Academic Laverov spoke. “There is an opinion among seismologists and geologists that it would be more expedient to build the pipeline somewhat farther to the north. I cannot leave unmentioned the main problem there, which the railroad doesn't have. That is landslide zones, from which there is no protection.” He paused for a moment, as if expecting to be interrupted. “No, I consider that it should be built immediately,” he continued. “But, at the same time, additional ecological research has to be done in the two basins where there is seismic activity.”
The president stood and walked over to Laverov. “Is it possible to build the line farther north?” he asked Vainshtok.
“You have caught me off guard,” Vainshtok admitted.
“I sense that you are hesitating. That means there is a possibility,” the president answered.
The scenario was becoming clear. After a little more technical discussion, there would be a Savior of the Baikal.
“Pipeline construction should be started from both sides,” the president continued. “And by the time it approaches Baikal, all the documentation should be ready. The route should pass to the north of the zones that Academic Laverov indicated. If there is even a 1-percent danger, we should think about that one percent, and not in reference to people who live far from the Baikal.”
In the past, Putin had criticized ecologists and said their work was not in the interests of the country.
The meeting was all but over, and there was no doubt about which side had come out ahead. Vainshtok approach the journalists and told them that it was not known how much the new project would cost. It would bring the pipeline closer to the deposit, thus reducing costs for Transneft. He was reminded of his own objections to the proposals of the defenders of the Baikal that the change would make the pipeline 900 km. longer.
“We are convinced that the new route will be shorter than you say,” he responded evenly.
“You're upset,” I said to him.
“I'm a soldier and the president is the commander-in-chief. Orders are not open to discussion.”
Andrey Kolesnikov
All the Article in Russian as of Apr. 27, 2006
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