Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with Transneft President Semen Vainshtok, L-R, in the Kremlin November 13, 2006.
Photo: ITAR-TASS
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Transneft to Scatter Far and Wide
Transneft President Semen Vainshtok reported to Russia’s President Putin about forthcoming stunning extension of pipelines in all strategic directions. Moreover, Vainshtok vowed to achieve this purpose in the near future.
On Monday, Vainshtok got off to a flying start by reporting the extension of the Baltic Pipelines. Development of this pipeline system is due to be completed in late November, and the annual capacity will reach 74 million tons, Vainshtok shed light on the first achievement.
“They told me 72 …” Putin checked back suspiciously.
“Well, we have reevaluated our capability,” Vainshtok looked absolutely at ease. But that easy manner of Transneft chief would have been rather forced should the revaluation have shown lower results.
“Seventy four,” Vainshtok repeated with pleasure. “It will be more than Novorossiisk, Tuapse, Odessa, Yuzhny and Batumi taken together! We are getting an established port that will be one of the biggest oil ports worldwide.”
And it was only the beginning. “About your order concerning Burgas-Alexandroupolis! We are actively working in this direction. The joint agreement between Gazprom Neft, Transneft and Rosneft to set up a venture with each company having a third in it has been signed to-date. We have elaborated an intergovernmental agreement. It was forwarded to Greece and Bulgaria November 3 and is currently considered. If nothing happens,” Vainshtok made a slip in speaking, “we are up to the schedule this year… But it calls for the big effort of Foreign Ministry!”
Transneft chief probably hinted that Greece and Bulgaria should be prompted to speed to make advances.
“Moreover, we are actively working in the eastern direction,” Vainshtok proceeded meaning the Eastern Siberia-the Pacific Ocean pipeline. “In April, we will set to constructing an oil port on the Pacific coast, in Kozmino bay. We see no grounds for failure,” Vainshtok said.
“Besides, we have constructed roughly 430 kilometers of pipelines. We have constructed a pump station in Taishet and will put it into operation in the following four or five days. We are in line with the schedule so far. Everything may happen, but all is OK yet,” Vainshtok said as if sincerely surprised by the trouble-free progress in events.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 14, 2006
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