Chayvo BKP Heliport (Old)

The heliport was closed because it was rendered obsolete and replaced by the new, larger, and more capable Chayvo Airport (ICAO: UHSH). The new airport, located approximately 8 km to the southwest, was constructed to better support the expanding needs of the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project. Unlike the old heliport, the new airport features a paved runway capable of handling fixed-wing aircraft (such as the DHC-8) in addition to helicopters, providing greater transport capacity, range, and improved all-weather operational reliability.

The site of the former heliport has been completely decommissioned and repurposed. Satellite imagery shows that the helipads, markings, and associated aviation infrastructure have been removed. The area is now integrated into the adjacent Chayvo Onshore Processing Facility's industrial zone and is used as an open-air storage yard, a staging area for heavy equipment, and a parking lot for vehicles.

The Chayvo BKP Heliport (Old) was a critical logistical hub during the initial construction and operational phases of the Sakhalin-1 project, operated by Exxon Neftegas Limited (ENL). Its primary function was to provide rapid transport for personnel, contractors, and time-sensitive light cargo. Operations consisted exclusively of helicopters, mainly Mi-8s, which ferried workers between the Chayvo Onshore Processing Facility (OPF), nearby accommodation camps, and the offshore production platforms like 'Orlan'. The 'BKP' in its name likely stands for the Russian 'Береговой комплекс подготовки' (Beregova'i Kompleks Podgotovki), which translates to 'Onshore Processing Facility', highlighting its direct connection to the main processing plant.

There are zero prospects for reopening this heliport. It has been functionally and permanently superseded by the modern Chayvo Airport (UHSH). The physical site has been repurposed for industrial ground use, and its original function is now served by a far superior facility, making any consideration of its reactivation impractical and unnecessary.