Gazprom Neft discovers new field in Orenburg Oblast
Gazprom Neft subsidiary Gazpromneft Orenburg has discovered a new field — the Novosamarskoye — in the Sorochinsky district of the Orenburg Oblast. Initial oil-in-place reserves are estimated at more than eight million tonnes. This is the first discovery at the area under investigation, which company specialists believe contains a series of smaller deposits.
The Novosamarskoye field was discovered following the drilling of an exploratory well which, in trials, delivered free-flowing oil. The decision to drill was taken on the basis of 3D seismic data, with the selection of well location and the estimation of reserves being undertaken with analytical support from the Gazprom Neft Joint Scientific and Research Centre (who also provided wider drilling support), together with specialists from Gazpromneft Orenburg. A blueprint on the geology and development of the field has now been developed, and a viable production strategy identified.
Gazprom Neft expects to obtain a licence for oil production at the Novosamarskoye field in 1Q2017, the appropriate application having already been submitted to the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use, Rosnedra.
Vadim Shashel, Head of Geological Prospecting, Gazprom Neft, commented: “The discovery of the Novosamarskoye field confirms our view regarding the presence of several fields at the Uransky licence block. Increasing precision in geological prospecting together with enhanced oil recovery rates mean Gazprom Neft is able to bring smaller reserves into development on a viable basis. We plan to drill a further two exploratory wells at the Novosamarskoye oilfield as part of production testing as early as 2017”.
Tags: reserves, exploration