OREANDA-NEWS. On 21 April 2008 was announced, that “East Siberia – Pacific Ocean” trunk oil pipeline is the prime strategic state pipeline project, reported by Andrey Dementiev, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy during his speech at the VII International pipeline forum. He mentioned that this unexampled project with its scope and complexity is the real breakthrough eastwards.

Mr. Dementiev explained that the formation of the eastern oil export direction is carried out in accordance with Russian Energy strategy scheduled till 2020 with provision for establishment of the new oil production centers in Eastern Siberia and Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and approach of Russia to the Asian-Pacific region. Deputy Minister brought into focus that ESPO construction will bring the pipeline infrastructure and the development of new oil and gas basins to a new level and contributes to the growth of the social and economic development of the eastern regions.

Deputy Minister for Industry and Energy informed that 2684 kilometers of pipes have been supplied for the first phase commissioning facilities. At present 2153 km of the route has been prepared, 1840 km of pipe welded, 1478 km pipeline installed. According to a new schedule the construction works to be completed at the most linear part by the end of 2008 in conformity with the terms initially approved, reported by Mr. Dementiev. First ESPO phase is planned to be completely constructed in IV quarter of 2009 including the special offshore oil port in Kozmino bay, reported by “Eastern Pipeline” expert portal.