Gazprom Neft begins full-scale development of Achimovsky deposits

Messoyakhaneftegaz, a joint venture between Gazprom Neft and Rosneft, has commissioned a horizontal well at the Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye field in the Achimov deposits located in Siberia, Russia.

The commissioning of the horizontal well marks the start of the full-scale development of the Achimovsky deposits located in the Gydan Peninsula, Tazovsky district, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

According to Gazprom Neft, the horizontal well, which runs to a total length of 3,200 metres, yielded a natural oil-inflow with initial volumes of 435 tonnes per day, which is nearly eight times the average at Messoyakha.

The Russian oil and gas company said that results collected confirm the project participants’ calculations about the potential for developing the Achimov deposits. Reserves of the Achimov deposits are estimated by Messoyakha geologists to be 35 million tonnes of oil and 111 million tonnes in total reserves.

Messoyakhaneftegaz launches full-scale development of Achimovsky deposits. Photo courtesy of Gazprom Neft PJSC.

The Achimovsky deposits are distinguished by a complex geological structure, thereby calling for the use of cutting-edge technologies for their development.

Gazprom Neft says that the deposits are marked by abnormal reservoir pressure, and saturated oil having a high gas content, which is yellow and orange in colour owing to the high light-hydrocarbon content.

Messoyakhaneftegaz is planning to drill a couple of exploratory wells, along with electro- and seismic prospecting of Achimovsky strata, which is in progress, said Gazprom Neft.

Victor Sorokin – CEO of Messoyakhaneftegaz said: “The drilling of the high-output Achimovsky well was preceded by the collection and analysis of a large volume of geological information, as well as pilot works and exploratory drilling. Bringing the major resource potential of the deep horizons of the onshore Arctic — the Achimovsky deposits — into production marks a new stage in developing the Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye field.”