OREANDA-NEWS.  March 05, 2012. Exploration works at Kandym block helped to increase resource base of the project significantly, Lukoil Uzbekistan Operating Company said.

The block's area is 1,142 square km and resource base at the time of joining of Lukoil to project was 225 million tonnes of standard coal. Currently, the company conducted 2D seismic works at 1,300 km and clarified geologic structure of block, increased exploration field’s area and determined perspectives of the reserves’ growth, which as it is expected will make up 60 million tonnes of standard coal.

In particular, at Kuvachi-Alar and Parsankul fields, where the company conducted seismic works and drilled 4 exploration wells, the field area was increased by 30% and the C1 reserves rose by 12 million tonnes of standard coal. Expenditures for exploration in 2011 were US million.

In 2012, it is planned to complete tests at three wells at Parsankul field and conduct 2D seismic works at 300 km area and calculate reserves. Till 2016, Lukoil plans to carry out 3D seismic works at 2,100 square km and drill 10 exploration wells. The company will invest US million to exploration works in 2012.