MOSCOW, August 08. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will launch exploration drilling at the West Alfa rig in the Arctic Kara Sea on August 9 via a TV link-up, the Kremlin’s press office said on Friday.

Putin will take part in the launch ceremony from Sochi. The launch ceremony at the Kara Sea rig will be attended by Russia’s Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin and ExxonMobil Russia head Glen Waller.

Russia’s northernmost well, the Universiy-1, will be drilled in open water during the ice-free drilling period from August to late October. The West Alfa semi-submersible rig has been specially upgraded for the Kara Sea’s harsh climate.

The West Alfa is equipped with an innovative ice control and ice defense system.

The well will be drilled by a joint venture between Rosneft, the license holder, and US ExxonMobil.