OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2010. In 2009, the Company’s exploration operations covered 10 constituent territories of the Russian Federation in three oil and gas provinces: West Siberian, East Siberian, and Timano-Pechora provinces, reported the press-centre of Surgutneftegas.

The level of exploration drilling volume has increased by 8% against the previous year and reached 182.6 thousand meters, that makes 39% of the industry volumes. The Company drilled 66 wells and completed the construction of 72 wells.

In the reporting year, the Company’s geologists discovered 9 oil-fields: 5 oil-fields in Khanty-Mansiysky Autonomous Okrug - Yuzhno-Lyaminskoye, Vostochno-Lyaminskoye, Ozernoye-I, Vysotnoye, Vostochno-Rogozhnikovskoye, 2 oil-fields in Yamalo-Nenetsky Autonomous Okrug - Zapadno-Sarutayuskoye, Syamayuskoye, 2 oil-fields in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – Yuzhno-Talakanskoye, Peleduyskoye.

The number of 2D seismic surveys covered 11.5 thousand linear km, as for 3D – more than one thousand sq. km. According to seismic exploration data the sites with oil resources amounting to 159 million tons are prepared for deep-hole exploration drilling.

Surgutneftegas performed R&D activity referred to oil and gas reserves assessment, geological projects designing, approval of prospect evaluation survey scheduling in new license areas, and specification of geological models of fields. The Company’s staff carried out test surveys to explore pre-Jurassic formations, forecast new prospective areas, conducted core analysis, defined formation fluids properties and composition in new areas.

In 2009, exploration drilling volumes amounted to 3 million 657 thousand meters and increased by 17% against the last year, that makes 26% of the industry drilling volumes. There were 1,131 new oil wells put into operation.

Up-to-date drilling equipment (including the one of home production) employed by Surgutneftegas provided for such results and allowed to accelerate operating speed and, therefore, to decrease the costs and well construction value.