The Samotlor field is located in the Nizhnevartovsk region of the Khanti—Mansiysk Autonomous District, 15 km from Nizhnevartovsk.

As part of plans to extend further east, last year Transneft set up a working group with other oil producers in the region – including Rosneft, TNK-BP, Lukoil and Gazprom Neft – to build the Purpe – Samotlor connector pipeline.

Transneft President N. Tokarev said the Purpe – Samotlor pipeline will require the construction of a new oil pumping station, as well as the renovation of two existing oil pumping stations.

With an expected oil capacity of 50 MMt/a, commissioning of the pipeline is planned for 2012.