Mutually advantageous cooperation

For the last ten years this problem has been practically solved on the territory of the region. First of all, legally: there were passed the laws "On Territories of the traditional nature management" and "On protection of rights of the  native of Khannty-Mansijsk Autonomous District". The first law regulates inter-relations between them, oil companies and government authorities. The second law defines levels of responsibility. Besides, in the region, as well as in the neighboring Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, there was developed and is already operating the Development concept of native minorities of the North. Moreover, there is actively developing cooperation between oil workers and the native people of the North, whose lands are used as raw hydrocarbon deposits. They receive money compensations from oil and gas companies.
A good pattern of such relations became partnership between OAO "Varieganneft" (one of the largest assets of OAO NK "RussNeft") and a well-known family of Kazamkin. In 2001 the enterprise has obtained a license for producing test of Valyuninskoye oilfield. At the same time the Management of the enterprise faced a problem of mutually advantageous cooperation with the native citizens of Variegan. Then, on the initiative of the General Director of "Variegannneft", Leonid Zakharov, there was held the first meeting. The requests of the Heads of the Communal family land became the basis for the long-term agreements.
Recently, Vitaly Kazamkin received new equipment, purposefully purchased by OAO "Varieganneft". He was given documents and keys from two new snowmobiles, three chain saws and two electric generators. This alliance has been operating for eight years already. Every three years there's concluded a contract, in which points at issue are discussed. The assistance program to the native citizens of Variegan is successfully applied in "Varieganneft". Besides assistance in housing improvements, every month the enterprise compensates payments for public facilities, gives gasoline and lubricants, helps in construction of folds and purchasing of deers. Only in 2008 the enterprise invested 2,5 mln Rubles in the program of native citizens assistance. Next year they are going to increase this amount up to 4 mln Rubles.
In such a way the oil workers show their respect to people, living on the land of Variegan for more than 800 years, and help them to keep up their traditional way of life:
- We always discuss with the oil workers our needs, - says Vitaly Andreevich. - Now the time is changing very quickly, and civilization comes to camping-grounds. We, as many others, use light, which is produced by generators , given to us by the management of "Varieganneft". We are also given gasoline, fuel, lubricants. Of course, the first years of our cooperation were really hard, sometimes it was hard to reach shared vision, but today we know each other much better, and could reach shared vision. If the oil workers can help the native people, they always do it. We all live together: they work here, produce oil; and we are busy in deer breeding and fishing. Their support is of great importance for us. My family is really grateful to OAO "Varieganneft", and I'm, in the name of my family, want to thank the management of the enterprise. Special gratitude goes to Leonid Zakharov, the General Director of the enterprise.
Relatively soon there'll happen one more important event in the family of Kazamkin. In 2009 Vitaly Andreevich, together with his children, is going to get a new two-room apartment with the assistance of "Varieganneft". No doubt, that this is inestimable contribution aimed at support of native minorities in Ugra.
Pavel ATROSHCHENKO