PREPARING FOR FIRST OIL

ABSTRACT In this paper the author draws from experience gained at the new ENL (ExxonNefigas) Export Terminal at DeKastri in the Russian Federation. The Terminal received first oil in late September 2006, to export through 5 new build tankers loading at the new Single Point Mooring facility. The oil is produced to the east of Sakhalin, and is pumped via the Chaivo Terminal across Sakhalin Island and the Tartar Straights to mainland Russia. Once ashore the pipe route turns south to DeKastri, a total run of approximately 230 kilometres. The main task set was to prepare for and conduct a Tier 1 Drill for Offshore and Shoreline Response, so as to demonstrate to the Russian Authorities the ENL capability and level of readiness. There was a large amount of equipment to be commissioned, stored in a dedicated Oil Spill Response (OSR) warehouse within the terminal. Equipment is also located on 2 dedicated vessels used for mooring and icebreaking duties. The response team to be trained were all Russian Nationals, ma...