May 2007

In late 2006, the Polar Lights Company, a joint venture that operates the Ardalin group of fields in the Timon Pechora region of Russia, reached 500 days without a single reportable incident, and on March 24, 2007, it recorded three years without a lost workday case

“The commitment of Polar Lights’ managers and employees to safety principles has become an integral part of the company’s corporate culture and trademark,” said Nickolay Makarsky, PLC’s safety and enviromental manager. “The milestones achieved over the past winter show a continuing commitment to the highest standards for which Polar Lights is recognized as an industry leader in Russia.”


A collage celebrating Polar Lights Company’s recent safety milestones includes images of Ardalin field managers Dimitry Gnidin (top left) and Scott Lites (bottom right) and Safety and Enviromental Manager Nickolay Makarsky (bottom left).


Established in 1992, Polar Lights produced first oil in 1994. Over the last 13 years, Polar Lights has been recognized for outstanding safety and environmental performance by ConocoPhillips, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, and Russia’s prestigious M.V. Lomonosov Foundation.

Commenting on the recent milestones, Stuart Snow, PLC board member and vice president, ConocoPhillips Russia Inc., said, “ConocoPhillips strives to reduce unsafe acts, process-related incidents and environmental incidents through effective execution of operational excellence programs, and health, safety and environmental management systems within each of its businesses. Polar Lights Company, led by General Director Pavel Ilyasov, fully adheres to ConocoPhillips’ corporate HSE principles and policies and by doing so, helps to share best knowledge and practices with our partners. This is the first time Polar Lights has achieved three years without a lost workday case. It truly demonstrates the commitment to safety of all Russian and Western members of the PLC team, in particular those working in the harsh tundra environment.”