Russia’s Arcticgas Pays $6,000 Compensation for Fire

A Russian gas company has paid $6,000 in compensation for environmental damage caused during an eight-day fire at one of its gas wells in northwest Siberia, RIA Novosti reported on October 17, citing prosecutors.

The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District prosecutor’s office said safety violations were committed during drilling at an exploration well owned by Russia’s Arctic Gas Company, also known as Arcticgas, which resulted in an uncontrolled emission of gas on August 19.

The ensuing fire raged for eight days. As a result, over three tons of methane, 17.5 metric tons of nitrogen dioxide, 2.5 metric tons of nitrous oxide and almost 150 metric tons of carbon monoxide were released into the atmosphere.

“The environmental damage has been compensated in full,” prosecutors said in a statement.

Arcticgas is a subsidiary of SeverEnergia, which is 51 percent owned by Yamal Development, a 50-50 joint venture between Novatek and Gazprom Neft.

Copyright: RIA Novosti, 2013