Vladimir Iliasov: « Even in the situation of crisis production must be developed”.

- Vladimir Akhmetovich, how did the economic crisis affect the work of “Saratovneftegas”?
- In stable well-off times oilmen  implement large-scale investment and production programs, assign large sums for financing of social projects in the region. But in the period of crisis all the oil companies of Russia (and of the whole world) have to readjust the parameters of theirs business plans to match the reality, which is characterized by the fall of oil process. In short, crisis makes everybody to live within their means. “Russneft” and “Saratovneftegas too.
But I must point out that “RussNeft” try to be flexible about all the changes of the situation at the market, and when oil prices tend to grow they are ready to get back to discussing investment projects which they could not afford earlier.
For example: the investment program of “Saratovneftegas” for 2009, including the costs for geological exploration and drilling works was,  in the beginning of the year, estimated in about 222 million rubles.When the oil prices changed “RussNeft” assigned in June-July 2009 extra 26 million rubles for  geological and engineering works in Saratov.
-By the way, about the geological exploration works. It is thought traditionally that they are an investment in the future of the oil branch. That’s true, the branch will have no future without new oilfields. What can you say about geological exploration works at “Saratovneftegas?”
- Even amid the crisis we try not to reject large investment projects, connected with exploration and development of new oil and gas fields. In 2008 “Saratovneftegas”  started operations at a new oilfield which was named Lusianinskoye  after  Gennadi Lusianin, the former general director of “Saratovneftegas”. Lusianinskoye oilfield is situated in Tngels district, 30 km to the south0east from Saratov. 
The first well which started oil production at the oilfield was well No 4, which at the tests gave an oil free-flowing with the average daily flow rate of 95 cubic meters. Last year, considering re-interpretation of 3D seismic data, the company has performed operational estimate of the hydrocarbon reserves and determined location of the next exploration well.  New deposits were also discovered within the limits of a major oilfield Belokamennoye. According to the results of geological exploration works in 2008 and the first half of 2009 and considering reapprisals, the increment of recoverable resources of commercial oil at the oilfields of “Saratovneftegas” amounted to 1.5 million tons.
This year we are planning to implement a number of geological exploration programs in Saratov region. Among them are drilling of exploration well  No 5 “Zapadno-Griaznushinskaya (Lusianinskoye oilfield) of 2400 m sinking,4 completing of development and interpretation of 3D seismic works within the scope of 40 sq. km   at the territory Riabinovaya of Stepnovski license area. Besides, “Saratovneftegas” is planning to make oil reserve calculations for 12 oilfields, to make up the project of searching and evaluation of oil and gas deposits at Riabinovaya territory. 
In September we are going to participate in the auction for acquiring new license areas, which will enable us to extend substantially our hydrocarbon base. 
- Lately improving gas recovery has become a matter  of close attention at the governmental level. What projects in this field are being implemented by  your company?
- I’d like to point out that “Saratovneftegas” takes an active part in the regional governmental program “Development and Usage of Hydrocarbon Base for Supply the Inhabitabnts of the region with Gas” for the years 2008-2010.
Within the frames of this program “Saratovneftagas” supplies associated gas to the inhabitants of the region for domestic needs. .
Thus, in July 2009 we completed reconstruction of the gas part of preliminary water discharge unit Uritskaya with the purpose of associated gas recovery, financing amounted to 3 millionh rubles. This unit supplies gas to the settlements in Lysogorsky district of Saratov region. Reconstruction permits to involve in the process of recovery up to 30 thousand cubic meters per day additionally, to minimize the volumes of flared associated gas.
In July “Saratovneftegas” completed reconstruction of two more objects of the above mentioned program: a preliminary water discharge unit “Oktiabrskaya”  and oil treatment unit “Griaznushinskaya”. They provide gas treatment and supply to the settlements of Tatishchevsky and Engelssky districts. As the result of the reconstruction quality of the gas and  performance reliability of the objects will rise.
At present Stepnovskaya gas compressor station is under reconstruction. The target of the reconstruction is to double the station’s efficiency )from 250 000 to 500 000 cubic meters per day) which will permit to supply additional volume of gas to consumers.
GCS is performing an important social function: it is supplying gas from the oilfields of “Saratovneftegas” to Stepnovskoye underground gas store, the largest one in Europe, the TPP in Engels, and more than 30 settlements in Sovetsky, Rovensky and Engelssky  district of Saratov region.
Besides the fact that gas supplies to the consumers will grow, the reconstruction will considerably raise the level of industrial security at GCS “Stepnovskaya”, and, moreover, it will help to raise the percentage of associated gas recovery and this fact will help to improve ecological situation in the areas of operation of “Saratovneftegas” at the account of decrease of the amounts of flared gas.
- Vladimir Akhmetovich, in previous years “Saratovneftegas was one of the major  benefactors of our region. Did the anti-crisis measures affect social programs of the company as well?
- Beneficent help for the regions remained at the same level as it used to be before crisis. You may see for yourself: in 2009 “RussNeft” and “Saratovneftgas” assigned for social programs about 14 million rubles. Among the major projects there are organization of summer vacations for the children from needy families and orphans in our children’s camp “Rovesnik”, sponsoring of volleyball club (1.2 million rubles).
In July in the settlement of Stepnoye our company sponsored construction of two play sites, assigned 0.5 million rubles for projecting of a sport complex with a swimming pool.
Our charity program is being implemented in accordance with the agreement on cooperation between the company “RussNeft” and the Government of Saratov region, and I am proud to say that we fulfill our social obligations in due times and in good faith.