Yarakta oilfield: practical fuel supply to the drilling pad

The Yarakta oil-and-gas condensate field is one of the major producing areas in Irkutsk Oblast. From our base in Ust-Kut to the fuel-delivery point — about 180 km over gravel and internal oilfield roads. Below is how we structure the run on this leg and what we adjust at every stage.

The corridor

The route runs through Verkhnemarkovo and internal oilfield roads. Most of the way is gravel and compacted ground. Winter makes the road easier (frost firms up the surface and closes overflow ice), summer is harder — puddles, washouts and repair stretches. We plan the run on a 72-hour weather forecast rather than the calendar.

Seasonal windows

Winter

From December to March the default logistics is high-traction tankers with a full winter kit: pre-heater, winter tyres and backup generator. A trained crew goes out with a 1,500 km fuel reserve and round-the-clock dispatch comms. The complications — short daylight and hose icing during discharge.

Summer and mud season

April–May and October are the mud-season window: the internal roads soften and the regulatory axle-load limits tighten. We shift to smaller shipments more often, keeping the road load within passport limits.

Documents and clearances

• Drivers are ADR-certified with periodic re-training.
• Tankers hold ADR certificates and carrier-liability insurance for dangerous goods.
• Site access is issued in advance through the customer's security office.
• The dispatch schedule is coordinated with the field dispatcher 24–48 hours before the run.

Delivery at the drilling pad

Delivery at the site is a separate procedure with its own rules. It's not enough to show up — you have to hand over the fuel correctly, with proper volume and quality records.

• Tanker grounding before discharge starts — mandatory, logged in the act.
• Volume cross-check against onboard meters and receiving-tank dip readings.
• Photo record of every delivery: seals, discharge fittings, gauge readings.
• Autonomous pump onboard — backup when the site has no line pressure.

«Handing off fuel at a pad is not 'pour and leave'. It's a signed act, a photo report and a per-litre cross-check. Without that the customer won't close the run.»

— TK VSR dispatcher

What makes the difference

The main risk on long runs to oil-and-gas sites isn't driving there — it's handing off the fuel incorrectly. We invested in per-litre logging and a photo record on every delivery. It removes disputes and closes the run within the next reporting week.

If you need a regular fuel-supply schedule to oilfield sites in Irkutsk Oblast — drop us a line. We'll scope the task, size the cadence and volumes and propose a fleet reserve for the peak season.