Safety concerns over Russia`s oil pipeline
The construction of a section of Russia's Sakhalin II oil pipeline project resumed from August 1, 2007, a few days after it was suspended after allegations that its safety link violated the approved design plans.
The Sakhalin Rostekhnadzor, the regional environment agency, had suspended the construction of a trunk pipeline under the project, saying it ran over a tectonic fracture near Yasnoye village and violated the design-stipulated requirements of the drainage system. It said the project "digressed from project decisions on the construction of a drainage system on active seismic faults and used the pipes which were not planned by the project'.
Officials claim they allowed the company to continue construction after an independent evaluation of improved technical solutions submitted by Sakhalin Energy. The Sakhalin Energy pipeline is controlled by Russian natural gas company Gazprom.