OREANDA-NEWS. On 31 August 2009 was announced, that OAO NK “RussNeft” is building up oil production at Shapsha group of oilfields in Western Siberia (KhMAO-Yugra). During the seven months of 2009 oil production at Shapsha group of oilfields has grown more than 2.7 times as compared with the analogous period of 2008 and amounted to 522 460 tons (for the aтalogous period of 2008 – 195 036 tons). Average daily production in 2009 has reached 3 500 tons.

OAO NK “RussNeft” numbers development of Shapsha group of oilfields among the projects strategically important for the Company. The remaining recoverable resources of these oilfields exceed 80 million tons of oil. Further implementation of planned levels of development of these license areas will enable “RussNeft” in the hear future to reach the annual output of oil production of 1.5 million tons. Development of all the three oilfield of the group is effected by a producing subsidiary of OAO NK “RussNeft” – OAO “Neftianaya Aktsionernaya Kompania “Aki-Otyr”.

Preparation for phased –in of the three oilfields of the group – Nizhne-Shapshinskoye, Sredne-Shapshinskoye , Verkhne-Sapshiskoye – was completed in 2004-2005. During this period there were built the main objects of engineering infrastructure, which permitted to approach closely to industrial exploitation. In 2006 oil production started at Nizhne-Shapshinskoye oilfield. In spite of the global crisis which has considerably complicated implementation of large-scale investment projects, OAO NK “RussNeft” has made it possible to go on developing Shapsha group. In the end of 2008 Verkhne-Shapshinskoye oilfield was put into operation, in May 2009 Sredne-Shapshinskoye oilfield followed. Further development of engineering infrastructure of the group is going on concomitantly. In September the Company is planning to complete construction of a the motor road at Sredne-Shapshinskoye. It will become a necessary link in the chain of development of all the Shapsha group. Implementation of joint project for associated gas recovery with “Monolit” company has now come to the final stage.

The Company is introducing at Shapsha group of oilfields a complex program of production drilling. Only in 2008 the operation well-stock has doubled and now includes 59 wells. During the seven months of 2009 32 wells were put into exploitation from the operation drilling, among them 5 ones are wells with horizontal bored sections.  The last two horizontal wells, drilled at Nizhne-Shapshinskoye oilfield demonstrated good input flow rates – 120 tons of oil per day. On the total in 2009 the Company is planning to put into operation 50 new wells.

Besides, Aki-Otyr is actively implementing the program of geological and engineering measures. Building up of the capacities of formation pressure maintenance system in spring 2009 secured stable functioning of the wells at Nizhne-Shapshinskoye oilfield. Growth of formation pressure made it possible to increase oil flow rates from the wells drilled in the previous years.

At the same time “RussNeft” continues further exploration of the oilfields of Shapsha group. In 2009 3D seismic works were undertaken at Verkhne-Shapshinskoye oilfield, 105 square kilometers were explored. Preliminary results confirm the high potential of the Northern part of Shapsha group of oilfields.