OREANDA-NEWS. Gazpromneft-Khantos, a subsidiary of JSC Gazprom Neft, has been granted a licence to carry out geological exploration of the deep oil-saturated prospective horizons in the Achimovskaya and Bazhenovskaya formations of the southern Priobskoye field.

Hydrocarbons at depths of 2,500-2,700 metres are difficult to recover due to the poor filtration properties of the reservoir rocks.

In 2014, work will include analysis of existing geophysical data, core analysis, re-interpretation of 3D seismic survey data and development of a conceptual geological model of deep horizons in the South Priobskoye field. It is expected that by 2015, it will already be possible to identify the sectors with the best prospects for exploratory well drilling and to select the most appropriate technology for developing these prospects.

Exploration of the Bazheno-Abalaksky complex in the South Priobskoye field will be carried out with support from Schlumberger. At the beginning of 2014, JSC Gazprom Neft and Schlumberger signed an agreement to expand technological cooperation to achieve greater efficiency in the development of hard-to-extract reserves, mainly shale oil. As a technical partner, Schlumberger will provide JSC Gazprom Neft with proven technical solutions backed by the experience and expertise of both Russian and international unconventional resource experts from the oilfield services company.

“Advances in technology mean that oil companies are now able to develop reserves which in many cases were regarded as unrecoverable just a few years ago. JSC Gazprom Neft is now in a position to proactively develop both hard-to-extract and unconventional reserves, including the Bazheno-Abalaksky complex horizons. By using cutting-edge technology, we are constantly developing our experience and expertise. For example, over the last two years, JSC Gazprom Neft has increased its overall proportion of high-tech wells from 4% to 35%, becoming one of the leading Russian oil and gas industry companies in this sector**”, said Vadim Yakovlev, First Deputy CEO of JSC Gazprom Neft.