Putin presses the button for the first oil tanker to depart from the 'Gate to the Arctic'

From the Kremlin, Mr. Putin pressed the button for the first oil tanker to depart from the "Gate of the Arctic".

Illustration: Sputnik.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, via video link from the Kremlin, gave the go-ahead for the first ship to carry oil from the Novoportovskoye field. Mr. Putin called it a landmark event. According to him, this is one of the most capital-intensive projects in the oil and gas industry. Over the past three years, 186 billion rubles have been spent on the project.

The Russian head of state stressed that for the first time oil will be transported not by pipeline, but by sea. The most advanced technical solutions were used in the construction of the port.

Also taking part in the videoconference were the head of "Gazprom" Alexey Miller and CEO of "Gazpromneft" Alexander Dyukov, who were present at the port.

"Gate of the Arctic" is the first year-round Arctic port built in Yamal. With the new port, oil can be transported by sea all year round, even in harsh climatic conditions.

According to Sputnik