The Yamal Peninsula is a most crucial strategic oil- and gas-bearing province of Russia. Industrial development of Yamal’s fields and the adjacent offshore areas has a fundamental significance for securing Russia’s gas production build-up beyond 2010.
By 2030 Yamal will annually produce up to 360 billion cubic meters of gas (in 2009 the aggregate gas production by Gazprom accounted for 547 billion cubic meters) and its reserves will suffice for 50 years. It is the largest energy project in the Russian history, unparalleled by the level of sophistication.
The Yamal development started with the Bovanenkovo field – the largest one on the Peninsula. Its reserves account for 4.9 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. At present, well drilling is taking place in the field, in 2008 – construction of the 1,100-kilometer Bovanenkovo – Ukhta gas trunkline was launched there. Having the annual capacity of above 300 billion cubic meters (at the Yamal – Ukhta section), as well as comprising 27 modern compressor stations and additional workshops at the existing stations with the total capacity of 8,600–11,600 MW, the new gas transmission system will be the key element of the Russian gas supply system.
By now, the bulk of cargoes are delivered to Yamal by sea through the Kharasavey port during the summer navigation season. However, it is impossible to shape large-scale production infrastructure on Yamal without the relevant build-up of railroad communication.
The Obskaya – Bovanenkovo railroad is a vital element of the Yamal megaproject being implemented by Gazprom. The railroad will ensure year-round delivery of equipment and construction materials, as well as conveyance of liquid hydrocarbon products, such as gas condensate, from Yamal’s fields.
The railroad will be 572 kilometers long (525 kilometers to the Bovanenkovo station). By now, 472 kilometers of rail have been laid. The railroad includes 5 stations, 12 sidetracks and 70 bridges with the total length of more than 12 kilometers.
Unique technologies were applied when constructing the railroad due to the presence of permafrost and highly-swamped areas, a well as the need to be environmentally friendly towards Yamal’s ecosystem.
In the aim of preserving the ecosystem and the bearing capacity of the permafrost soil, key facilities are constructed at subzero temperatures only.
The railroad embankment was made of wet sandy silt, which reaches the desired strength at subzero temperatures. To ensure the roadbed steadiness in summer, a unique multi-layer heat insulation system (expanded polystyrene above the frozen sand; geotextile mats) was developed and applied.
