Putin: Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field should become main source of gas for Far East in future

VLADIVOSTOK. Sept 4 (Interfax) - The gas infrastructure development of the Far East should in the future be ensured through the commissioning of the Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field on the Sakhalin shelf, President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting dedicated to the development of the region's fuel and energy sector at the 2025 Eastern Economic Forum (EEF 2025).

"According to estimates from the Energy Ministry, a multiple-fold increase in demand for natural gas is forecasted in the Far East in the coming years. Signs of its shortage in the region are already visible - it is sometimes difficult to ensure the supply for new enterprises," Putin said.

"In the future, one of the main sources of gas for the Far East should be the Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field on the shelf of Sakhalin. I would like to hear today about the current situation regarding its launch," Putin said.

The Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field is the largest within the area. Its recoverable reserves (under category C1+C2) are estimated at 814.5 billion cubic meters of gas, 130 million tonnes of gas condensate and 3.8 million tonnes of oil. The planned design capacity is 21 bcm of gas per year.

Gazprom Deputy Board Chairman Vitaly Markelov said in a presentation given at EEF 2025 that the development of the field will continue during the five-year period from 2025 to 2029.