UPDATE 4: Exec: Rospan to start producing commercial gas soon

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MOSCOW, Feb 12 (PRIME) -- Rospan of Russian oil major Rosneft will start producing commercial gas in a few days, Vice President for Domestic Services Eric Liron told reporters on Friday.

"Rospan has completed assembly of the key equipment for the first stage of production and preparation of gas and condensate. Startup and adjustment works are at an advanced stage, and the first commercial gas from the project must start to arrive in few days," Liron said.

Rospan International became part of Rosneft group in March 2013. The company develops the Vostochno-Urengoisky, Novo-Urengoisky, and Resursny license blocks in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.

An executive said that Rosneft continues negotiations with foreign partners on Vostok Oil project stakes sale but will retain a controlling stake. "Our first partner entered (Vostok Oil) at the end of the last year. This is a strategic project, this is why we understand that 50% plus, as we call it in English, a golden share must remain with the government," the official said.

The official said that Rosneft gave tail assets to Independent Oil and Gas Company. Expected output of the assets amounts to 10–14 million tonnes.

According to Liron, Rosneft expects its output to fall about 5% in 2021, including the tail asset sale.

As follows from Rosneft’s presentation, the company postponed the start of Kharampurskoye field development to 2022 from 2021. Production plateau can be reached in 2023, the company said.

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