OREANDA-NEWS. LUKOIL began transportation of bearing blocks today from Astrakhan for the central processing platform (CPP) via the Volga-Caspian Canal to the installation point at Vladimir Filanovsky field, developed by the company in the Northern Caspian Sea.

The CPP bearing units will soon be positioned and fixed at the sea bed.

Bearing units for the ice-resistant stationary platform, for the platform of the living-quarters module and for the riser block have already been installed.

In 2014, topside sections and catwalk bridges will be mounted on the bearing units. All of the offshore facilities are being manufactured by Astrakhan's shipbuilding enterprises on orders placed by LUKOIL.

Commercial drilling at the field is scheduled to begin in 2014, whereas production of oil is to start in late 2015.