Gazprom Neft reported on September 18, 2017, that the company has begun geological investigations in Paleozoic hydrocarbon deposits in the Tomsk Oblast.
Thus far, the complex structure of the pre-Jurassic complex has not been deemed an independent geological prospect, investigations into which demand the modification of traditional prospecting methodologies.
The aim of this project - the 1st of it’s kind in Russia - is to identify optimum approaches for investigating oil-bearing Paleozoic deposits, allowing greater efficiency in geological prospecting as well as reducing costs, and resulting in an additional 25 million tonnes of recoverable reserves, as well as more than 1 billion tonnes of hydrocarbons in place, from this region alone.
Investigations into the geological structure and conditions dictating the formation of the pre-Jurassic complex are being undertaken at Gazpromneft-Vostok’s fields in the Tomsk Oblast.
Cumulative geological and technological factors have allowed 3 characteristic zones to be identified among the various hydrocarbon accumulations within the Tomsk Oblast, investigation of which will involve six wells being drilled throughout 2017–2019.
Specialists from the Gazprom Neft Science and Technology Centre will determine a selection of technologies optimally suited to the geological exploration of the strata of the pre-Jurassic complex.
A range of investigations through the 1st well have already begun.
Gazprom Neft specialists are now undertaking research into Paleozoic deposits in conjunction with Tomsk Polytechnic University.
Preliminary expert estimates suggest that identifying appropriate technologies for developing deposits in the pre-Jurassic complex may take in the order of about 3 years, although their further application will allow a manifold increase in exploration drilling success rates - with the Tomsk region, alone, expected to see an increase of more than 1 billion tonnes of reserves-in-place.
To read an article in Russian.
