In April 2009, OAO Transneft commenced construction of the pipeline on the Russian side. The pipeline spur stretches 64 km, from Skovorodino to the Amur River, which marks the border with China. From the border, the pipeline will run a further 960 km to the Chinese town of Daqing, located in the country’s northeast.

In January 2010, Mr Putin opened the first stage of the ESO pipeline at a ceremony held at the port of Kozmino on Russia’s Pacific Coast.

The first stage of the pipeline runs 2,757 km from Taishet, Irskutsk Region, via Yakutia to Skovorodino in the Amur Region. A 1,100 km section of the first stage was brought online in October 2008.

The second stage of the ESO will run 2,100 km from Skovoridino to the Pacific coast. Currently the oil is transported by rail from Skovoridino to the port of Kizmino on the Pacific coast.

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Upon completion of the second stage, the ESO pipeline will traverse 4,857 km. With a 1,200 mm diameter, the pipeline will have the capacity to transport up to 80 MMt/a.