Established in 1981 under an agreement signed by Vietnam and the former Soviet Union to exploit oil and gas on Vietnam’s southern continental shelf, Vietsovpetro has secured its position as a leading pioneer in the Vietnamese oil and gas sector.
VOVNews interviewed Dr. Tran Le Dong, Vietsovpetro General Director about the joint-venture’s activities.
VOVNews: Could you tell us about Vietsovpetro’s targets for this year and measures to fulfil the targets?
Mr Dong: This year, Vietsovpetro will continue to ensure safe oil and gas exploitation and increase the volume of exploited oil. Therefore, 2006 is seen as the year of quality and efficiency. Accordingly, our joint-venture aims to exploit 9.6 million tonnes of oil and 1.59 billion cubic metres of gas, reach US$2.78 billion in export turnover and contribute US$1.7 billion to the State budget this year.
In addition, Vietsovpetro will continue implementing key State projects such as a project to build the PM-3-Ca Mau gas pipeline, which we will strive to complete by the year’s end.
In order to fulfil all the targets, we have devised effective measures to intensify survey activities so as to ensure safety for offshore oil and gas exploitation. Apart from that, international quality control systems will be gradually applied at member units and within the management apparatus, which will be assigned to manage wage funds and bonuses.
VOVNews: How far has Viersovpetro progressed towards the set target in the first quarter of this year?
Mr Dong: By the end of the first quarter of this year, Vietsovpetro obtained significant achievements. An oil flow was found in R-15 Well and Vietsovpetro expects to extract 800 cu.m of crude oil per day from the well.
The joint-venture exploited 2.54 tonnes of oil (accounting for 26.5 percent of the annual plan) and brought ashore 518 million cu.m of gas (making up for 32.6 percent of annual plan). It earned US$1.19 billion from selling crude oil (reaching 42.7 percent of the plan) and contributed US$725.4 million to the State budget.
VOVNews: How does the joint-venture apply advanced technology in oil and gas exploitation?
Mr Dong: The oil and gas industry has applied a lot of advanced technology to improve the exploitation efficiency of non-renewable natural resources. During its operation, the joint-venture also applied advanced technology and used modern equipment in order to achieve higher economic efficiency.
VOVNews: Can you tell us about the current co-operation between Vietnam and Russia in oil and gas exploitation? How do Vietnamese officials and workers participate in the joint- venture’s operations?
Mr Dong: During its 25-year operation, the joint-venture has trained qualified management and technician officials and high skilled workers, who can master advanced technology and all production processes in order to gradually replace Russian experts. Currently, Vietsovpetro has 6,586 officials and workers, including 5,940 Vietnamese and 646 Russians. Among the Vietnamese officials and workers are 37 doctorate degree holders, 38 masters, 2,041 engineers, and 3,304 skilled workers, many of whom have international professional skill certificates. Vietnam holds most of the high positions and titles on the Board of Director and within member enterprises.
Vietsovpetro can be considered the training crucible of the country’s oil and gas industry. Many leaders and leading experts of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation and its member units have been trained and developed their skills while working for Vietsovpetro.
VOVNews: Thank you very much.
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