“Alexander Sannikov” will fulfill icebreaker support of tankers to “Vorota Arktiki”. Even on autopilot

The Russian flag was hoisted in St. Petersburg on the Angliyskaya (English) Embankment on the latest and unique icebreaker “Alexander Sannikov” on the 29th of June.

It is the most powerful diesel electric icebreaker in the country in its class. It was built at the shipyards in Vyborg under the order of “Gazprom Neft” to support tankers transporting oil from Novoportovskoye field. This is one of the largest oil, gas, condensate fields being developed on the Yamal Peninsula. Extractable reserves of categories C1 and C2 make more than 250 million tonnes of oil and condensate and more than 320 milliard cubic meters of gas. The amount of production in the field in 2017 made 5 million and 500 thousand tonnes of oil. “Alexander Sannikov” is the most technologically advanced diesel icebreaker in the country. It has the advanced system of maneuvering, automation of power supply, modern radio navigation and the opportunity remotely to control electronics. In addition, this is the Russia’s first icebreaker, which has the newest automated control system able to take control over the machinery for several days (icebreaker autopilot). Appearing of “Alexander Sannikov” will increase efficiency and stability of year-round oil transportations from the world’s only oil terminal in fresh waters behind the Polar Circle – “Vorota Arktiki”. According to the representational office of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in St. Petersburg, by its exploitation indexes the new icebreaker does not yield to nuclear-powered icebreakers and even exceeds them due to lower energy consumption and better maneuverability. The contours of the hull of “Alexander Sannikov” are unique for traditional icebreakers: the vessel does not press the ice but cuts and mills it. If necessary, the icebreaker can be turned around 360 degrees in just a minute. As we should remind, the government of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the company “Gazprom Neft” signed the partnership agreement for 2016-2020. The sides confirmed their intention to expand mutually beneficial partnership for further development of economy, improvement of investment climate in the region, support of socioeconomic projects and coordination of efforts in creation of favorable conditions for exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in the region.