On April 27, 2018, Lukoil announced that the company completed the installation of a wellhead platform’s topside at the Yury Korchagin field. The Korchagin field, which is now in phase two of its development, lies within the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea.

The wellhead platform is a satellite platform designed to drill wells in the eastern part of the field. Drilling at phase two sites is expected to start by the summer months.

Apart from hosting processing equipment, the platform is equipped with safety systems, living personnel quarters, and a helideck. As most of the operations are automated, only eight workspaces are designed for the temporary stay of the personnel.

The oil and gas produced will be transported to the host platform through subsea pipelines and treated for delivery onshore.

The Korchagin field was Lukoil’s first discovery in the North-Caspian oil and gas province in 2000. Commercial production at the field started in 2010. All the offshore facilities for the field’s development were constructed in the Astrakhan region.