LUKOIL has successfully completed transportation and assembly operations aimed at mounting topside on the jacket of the offshore ice-resistant stationary platform (IRP-2), which is part of the construction facilities at Yu. Korchagin field located in the Caspian Sea.

As has already been reported, the jacket weighing 1,340 tons was towed to the field, fixed with 15 piles and prepared for the topside to be assembled on it at the beginning of May.

Transportation of the topside to the assembly point started on May, 17, from Astrakhan.

The topside comprises living quarters, public and medical premises, a galley, store rooms, ship service systems and other mechanisms, including a helideck and rescue equipment. The living quarters can accommodate 105 people. The platform length is41.5 m, its width is 40.2 m. The platform is raised 38 m above sea level. The duration of autonomous operating mode is 15 days.

The platform was constructed by the hardware factory of ннн LUKOIL-Kaliningradmorneft and then, after being knocked down, it was transported by river barges to Astrakhan for complete equipment and coarse assembly at the Astrakhan Shipyard.Later IRP-2 will be connected by a 74.2 transitional bridge with IRP-1 designed for drilling, collection, oil and gas treatment and transportation, which is to be assembled at the field at the end of summer 2009.