In 1996, two large consortia, Sakhalin-I and Sakhalin-II, signed contracts to explore for oil and gas off the northeast coast of the island. The two consortia's pre-project estimate of costs were a combined US$21 billion on the two projects; costs had almost doubled to $37 billion as of September 2006, triggering Russian governmental opposition. The cost will include an estimated US$1 billion to upgrade the island's infrastructure: roads, bridges, waste management sites, airports, railways, communications systems, and ports. In addition, Sakhalin-III-through-VI are in various early stages of development.
in 1996 two large consortia sakhalin-i and sakhalin-ii signed contracts to explore for oil and gas off the northeast coast of the island the two consortia's pre-project estimate of costs were a combined us$21 billion on the two projects; costs had almost doubled to $37 billion as of september 2006 triggering russian governmental opposition the cost will include an estimated us$1 billion to upgrade the island's infrastructure roads bridges waste management sites airports railways communications systems and ports in addition sakhalin-iii-through-vi are in various early stages of development