The main directions of development of mineral resources base of PAO Gazprom are still development of resources of hydrocarbons of the East of Russia, a zone of the Uniform System of Gas Supply (USGS) and a large-scale exit to the shelf.

In 2015 the total driving in explorative drilling of PAO Gazprom (without PAO Gazprom Neft), including prospecting works in Russia and abroad, including in the underground gas storages, made 124.3 thousand meters. 34 wells were finished by construction. 0.4 linear km of seism prospecting works of 2D and 18.6 thousand sq.km of 3D are executed. During prospecting works two new fields of hydrocarbons and eight new deposits on earlier revealed fields are opened.

Prospecting works-2015

By results of drilling of an exploration and appraisal well in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area near the developed Bear oil-gas condensate field (OGCF) last year the Padinsky gas-condensate field is opened. Its industrial reserves of hydrocarbons (C1+C2) are estimated at 203.2 million tons of equivalent fuel. During drilling of group of prospecting wells within the innovative project in Kemerovo region the Nyryksko-Ostashkinsky field of methane of coal layers which stocks on the sum of the industrial categories C1+C2 are estimated at 33 billion cubic meters of gas is opened. New deposits are revealed on earlier opened fields in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area (Southern Russian and West Tarkosalinsky) and in Krasnoyarsk Krai (Imbinskoye).
The gain of explored reserves of hydrocarbons as a result of carrying out prospecting works on sites of PAO Gazprom in 2015 reached 582 million tons of equivalent fuel at the plan in 536 million tons (performance of planned indicators – 108.6%). Including the gain of reserves of gas reached 510.8 billion cubic meters, liquid hydrocarbons – 71.2 million tons. The main gain of explored reserves of gas is received in the East Siberian and Far East regions — respectively on Chayandinskoye oil and gas field (205 billion cubic meters) and Southern Kirinskoye gas and condensate field (213 billion cubic meters) that significantly increased their industrial value. Taking into account last year’s volumes of production of the PAO Gazprom natural gas (without PAO Gazprom Neft) — 406 billion cubic meters — completion of reserves of natural gas made 126%.

Strategy

The operating strategy of development of mineral resources of PAO Gazprom provides concentration of the main prospecting works in the east of the Russian Federation (for creation of the new centers of gas production), in zone ESG (for maintenance of levels of production of the developed fields) and on a continental shelf of the Russian Federation (for ensuring completion and a gain of stocks). According to this strategy in 2015 key regions for Gazprom from the point of view of search and prospecting works were Eastern Siberia and the Far East, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area and also the Russian shelf of the Arctic and Far East seas. Thus the prospecting works main directions were investigation of Chayandinsky, Tas-Yuryakhsky, Verkhnevilyuchansky, Sobolokh-Nedzhelinsky and Srednetyungsky fields in Yakutia, and also Kovykta in the Irkutsk region; investigation of Tambeysky group of fields to the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, search and investigation of deposits of hydrocarbons in Jurassic and Achimov deposits, studying the nadsenomanskikh of deposits of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area; investigation of the Southern Kirinsky field on the shelf of the island of Sakhalin, search works on Ayashsky and East Odoptinsky sites, prospecting works in the Kara and Barents Seas.

Chayanda

Chayandinskoye oil and gas field is key field for creation of the Yakut center of gas production in Russia. The project regarding preparation of stocks for industrial development is in a closing stage. Prospecting works on a field began in 2008. Today it is finished with construction of 49 wells, about 93.6 thousand meters of rocks are drilled, 1.5 thousand linear km of seismic works of 2D and 6.3 thousand sq.km of seismic exploration 3D are executed. So far all Chayanda Square is covered with seismic shooting 3D.
In 2015 JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration finished field seismic works 3D in volume of 3.96 thousand sq. km, finished construction of six prospecting wells. It is carried out calculation of reserves of hydrocarbons of the hamakinsky and talakhsky horizons of the Chayandinsky field. A gain of reserves of gas on the category C1 is over 205 billion cubic meters; recoverable reserves of oil and gas condensate are more than 3.2 million tons. As a result as of the beginning of 2016 the taken reserves of hydrocarbons of Chayanda on the categories C1+C2 within a license site of PAO Gazprom made about 1.4 trillion cubic meters of gas and also more than 86.5 million tons of oil and condensate.
The main problem when carrying out prospecting works on this field is the extremely complex structure of deposits. Now the well with the horizontal termination is tested in which prospecting works (layer hydraulic fracturing) of all productive horizons are carried out. According to plans of works by the end of 2016 it is supposed to prepare the Chayandinsky field for industrial development.

Kovykta

The Kovykta oil- gas condensate field is key field for creation of the Irkutsk center of gas production. Prospecting works on Kovykta are conducted since 2012. On a field three wells are finished with construction, over 16.6 thousand meters of rocks are drilled, more than 5.4 thousand sq.km of seismic exploration 3D are executed.
In 2015 JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration finished construction of two prospecting wells. More than 2.2 thousand sq.km of seismic exploration 3D are executed. Works on geological studying of subsoil were actively conducted.
Carrying out prospecting works in the territory of the Kovykta field is complicated by existence in a section of zones of abnormally high reservoir pressure and highly mineralized water. For example, this year because appearance of brine. It was made a decision on elimination of one of the constructed wells. For the solution of these problems on a field the site for carrying out skilled and methodical works on complex studying of geologic-geophysical characteristics, fluid saturation and clefts for the purpose of the prevention of geological complications when drilling wells and optimization of system of arrangement is defined. In the short term carrying out geochemical researches, micro seismic logging and low-frequency seismic sounding is planned on this site.

Southern Kirinskoye

The southern Kirinsky oil — gas condensate field was opened by PAO Gazprom on the shelf of Sakhalin in 2010. In its limits from 2010 to 2015 eight search and prospecting wells, including two prospecting wells — in 2015 are drilled. Also last year JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration on the Southern Kirinsky field executed 2.2 thousand sq. km of seismic works 3D. Expeditious calculation showed a gain of the taken reserves of hydrocarbons on the category C1 in 247.6 million tons of equivalent fuel, including more than 213 billion cubic meters of gas and also about 34.5 million tons of oil and condensate. For the beginning of 2016 the taken reserves of hydrocarbons of the Southern Kirinsky field on the categories C1+C2 made over 706 billion cubic meters of gas and about 115 million tons of oil and condensate.

Tambeysky group

In the north of the Yamal Peninsula (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area) PAO Gazprom carries out prospecting works on Malyginsky, Tasiysky, North Tambeysky and West Tambeysky license sites. In 2010 seismic works 3D were performed here. In 2012 JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration carried out «a pioneer exit» to the peninsula for the organization of construction of deep prospecting wells on the listed fields. In 2015 in construction there were 12 wells. Thereof three are in drilling and nine are in test.

Medvezhye

The project on gas content of nadsenomansky and senonsky depositions of Medvezhye oil- gas condensate field for the purpose of assessment of opportunities of effective gas production the deposits of the same name JSC Gazprom Dobycha Nadym realized since 2012. During the period from 2012 to 2015 two wells were finished with construction, 1.59 thousand sq. km of seismic exploration 3D, including with application of the high density and high-allowing technologies are executed.
In 2015 570 sq.km of seismic works 3D are executed, is finished with drilling and begun with test (with application of technology of multistage hydraulic fracturing of layer) a well with the horizontal termination, works on implementation of the feasibility study on a senonsky deposit are begun.

Shelf priorities

PAO Gazprom owns 33 licenses for use of natural resources of a continental shelf of Russia: 20 — in the Kara Sea, seven — in Barents, five — in Okhotsk, one — in Azov. Today prospecting works are conducted on 25 license sites. According to the Program of development of mineral resources of PAO Gazprom of prospecting works on the shelf of Russia have to provide the main gain of reserves of hydrocarbons of corporation of more than 10 trillion CBM by 2035. Today on the Russian shelf, including Karsky and Barents exhausting and also the Far East shelf 11.75 thousand linear km of seismic works 2D, over 23.2 thousand sq.km of seismic exploration 3D are executed, more than 36.6 thousand meters of rocks were drilled, 11 explorative wells are finished with construction. As a result of the performed works openly 10 new fields of hydrocarbons. It should be noted that the main amounts of works are concentrated in the Kara Sea and on the Far East shelf.
In 2015 prospecting works were concentrated, first of all, on license sites of the shelf of the Sea of Okhotsk, and also the Kara and Barents seas received relatively recently — in 2013-2014. So, on the shelf of the Sea of Okhotsk on the Kirinsky license site works on investigation of the Southern Kirinsky field, unique on stocks, were performed. Besides, geological studying of subsoil on East Odoptinsky and Ayashsky license sites was conducted. On 16 license sites of the Karsky and Barents seas seismic exploration 3D was actively carried out and development of projects and prospecting works programs were conducted. The actual volume of seismic works 3D performed in 2015 made 6.7 thousand sq. km. By results of the seismic exploration 3D executed in 2011-2012 on the Tota-Yakhinsky field the gain of reserves of gas of 30.8 billion cubic meters was received.
According to conditions of license agreements from 2016 to 2025 on a continental shelf of the Russian Federation it is necessary to execute serious volumes of prospecting works: 23.5 thousand linear km of seismic exploration of 2D, 21.6 thousand sq. km of 3D and also to drill 46 explorative wells.
By the end of 2025 on the shelf of the Barents Sea Gazprom has to execute 20 thousand linear km of seismic exploration of 2D and 9 thousand sq.km of 3D and also to drill 12 explorative wells. Specialists of Gazprom consider that it is not only impossible but also is inexpedient to master such volumes. A task of the company is to build priorities and sequence of implementation of the shelf program, proceeding from terms of input of fields and economic efficiency. Now changes are made to conditions of license agreements with the purpose of transfer of prospecting works on the shelf of the Barents Sea for later term. It is obvious that drilling on sites in the Barents Sea, proceeding from the existing environment, is rather distant prospect. Territories of the shelf, adjacent to Yamal, have to become the main objects in the next years: Nyarmeysky, Skuratovsky, Beloostrovsky, and also Leningrad and Rusanovsky sites.

The deep-laying

Within projects of development of remote, hardly removable and other difficult resources of hydrocarbons in 2015 PAO Gazprom carried out prospecting works on Achimov, Tyumen and Nadsenomansky depositions in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area (zenón, turon), and also enabled the realization of the project on production of methane from coal layers in Kuzbass. The specified projects provide performance of prospecting works by forces of the specialized company JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration. Following the results of implementation of the accepted programs of development of hardly removable resources the gain of reserves of hydrocarbons on the current license sites of PAO Gazprom within 2 billion tons of equivalent fuel is planned.
As for geological exploration on the deep-laying horizons, the gas enterprises of Gazprom conducting production activity in zone ESG of Nadym-Pur-Tazvsky region carry out traditionally exploration works on the perspective layers located below the main operational object. These are the Achimov and Jurassic deposits lying at the depth of 3.5-4.5 thousand meters. Therefore today achimovsky and Jurassic complexes are rather well studied by deep drilling. It is already conducted gas and gas condensate production from Achimov deposits of the Urengoy oil-gas condensate field. The basis for geological studying and statement of deep drilling on these deposits is the considerable total size of assessment of resources of this complex which exceeds 67 billion tons of equivalent fuel. Efficiency of the achimovsko-Jurassic complex is established on the majority of fields of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area in a zone of activity of the enterprises of JSC Gazprom Dobycha Urengoy, JSC Gazprom Dobycha Yamburg, JSC Gazprom Dobycha Nadym, JSC Gazprom Dobycha Noyabrsk and JSC Severneftegazprom. These enterprises actively conduct search and prospecting works in the achimovskikh and the Jurassic deposits on fields and the perspective areas (Yamburg, Urengoy, Pestsovy, East Padinsky, Yamsoveysky, Anniversary, West Tarkosalinsky, etc.). In 2015 in the territory of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area eight search and estimated and prospecting wells on the deep-laying horizons were finished with construction, in all wells the necessary complex of geophysical surveys, works on test of perspective objects was executed.

Zenón and turon

The Nadsenomansky gas complex is located at depths less than 1.1 thousand meters, presented by collectors of complex structure with low filtrational and capacitor properties and contains hardly removable reserves of hydrocarbons. Its deposit with confidence can be referred to nonconventional sources of hydrocarbons. Efficiency of nadsenomansky gas complex is established on the majority of fields of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area on which the Cenomanian is productive: Medvezhye, Tazovsky, Polar, Yamburg, Bovanenkovsky, Yamsoveysky, Anniversary, Southern Russian and others. Reserves of gas of nadsenomansky gas complex are estimated of 35-60% of gas reserves in the spreading Cenomanian deposits. Preparation for development of stocks of these deposits will allow using operating infrastructure and prolong terms of operation of a field and, as a result, to postpone the time and capital expenditure for elimination of fields.
The Nadsenomansky complex includes senonsky and Turonian deposits of hydrocarbons. Now exploration works directed on studying the senonskikh of deposits are conducted by JSC Gazprom Dobycha Nadym. In the current year the senonskikh of deposits in the territory of Vyngapurovsky and Komsomol fields starts studying JSC Gazprom Dobycha Noyabrsk, Yamburg gas field — JSC Gazprom Dobycha Yamburg. The Turonian deposits are tested on the Southern Russian, Polar, Harampursky, Southern Messoyakhsky and Novochaselsky fields. Reserves of the «Turonian» gas are entered in the State books by the Russian Federation of more than 1.4 trillion cubic meters. Meanwhile considerable heterogeneity of properties of the Turonian deposits both on the area and on a section results in need of drilling of denser grid of operational wells for creation of correct geological model of layer.
Since 2011 trial operation of the Turonian deposit on the Southern Russian field is carried out by JSC Severneftegazprom. The Turonian deposits are tested by this enterprise in 23 wells. Within preparation of design decisions on development of the Turonian deposits the experimental two-bottom hole well intended for simultaneous and separate operation of two layers on the Southern Russian field is constructed and put into operation. At the same time this design of a well did not solve all problems of effective development of Turon, in particular carrying out of liquid from a face and providing an optimality of the technological mode of operation. In this regard in 2014 the well with the ascending termination was drilled and put into operation. Thus, further work on preparation of the Turonian deposits for development will be connected with creation of correct geological models, effective technologies of construction of wells and selection of the optimum modes of operation. In 2015 the Turonian deposit was in a stage of trial development by two operational wells located around Cenomanian operational bushes. Last year for the purpose of search of optimum technologies of development the horizontal well was drilled in which in 2016 performance of multistage prospecting work is planned.
In 2012-2015 within implementation of the project on additional exploration of the Southern Russian field 935 sq.km of seism prospecting works 3D were executed, six prospecting wells were drilled, considerable amount of works on geological studying of a subsoil (laboratory researches of formation fluids, a core, expeditious calculation of stocks, certification of objects, etc.) is executed. Thus in 2015 two prospecting wells were finished with construction and considerable amount of works on geological studying of subsoil is executed. The gain of the taken stocks of hydrocarbon raw materials on the category C1 made on gas more than 9.6 billion cubic meters, on oil — about 1.7 million tons.

Methane of coal layers

Production of methane from coal layers in Kuzbass is one of the perspective directions in strategy of social and economic development of the Kemerovo region. Implementation of the project will allow increasing extent of gasification of the region, to increase safety of work of miners, to improve an ecological situation in the region and to create new workplaces. According to the program of works and geological tasks within a license site of JSC Gazprom Dobycha Kuznetsk since 2009 carried out prospecting works complex on priority projects — Taldinsky and Naryksko-Ostashkinsky methane-coal fields. 33 prospecting wells have already been constructed and in test operation here. Since the beginning of test operation more than 43 million cubic meters of gas are taken. The round-the-clock filling with natural gas of motor transport of Taldinsky Coal Mine of JSC Kuzbassrazrezugol Coal Company, JSC Razrez Yuzhny, JSC TD Sibir, JSC Resource, own transport of JSC Gazprom dobycha Kuznetsk is organized. On Taldinsky and Naryksko-Ostashkinsky squares 1.35 MW, 1.063 MW, 2.2 MW and 1.1 MW gas-piston power plants are started.
In 2015 JSC Gazprom Dobycha Kuznetsk carried out works on researches of layers, test operation of wells, as well as on preparation for construction of new prospecting wells. Also on Tutuyasskaya Square seismic exploration 2D in volume of 170 linear km is executed. By results of exploration works reserves of methane of coal layers on the Naryksko-Ostashkinsky methane-coal field of Kuzbass with the total taken methane reserves on the categories C1+C2 of 33 billion cubic meters are for the first time protected. Last year the actual gross output of methane of coal layers made about 13.6 million cubic meters, thereof 0.356 million are used as gas motor fuel for gas station of motor transport and 3.4 million was used for generation of the electric power (9.93 million kilowatt-hour are developed).
Now JSC Gazprom Dobycha Kuznetsk continues development of the exploration work directions chosen earlier on the Naryksko-Ostashkinsky field and Tutuyasskaya Square. It is characterized by high degree of coal-bearing of drill cores, existence of big resources of methane of coal layers with a high density of distribution. Proximity of the Naryksko-Ostashkinsky field to a branch of the main gas pipeline Parabel-Novokuznetsk, and also possibility of systematic development of works due to the lack of the operating fields of mines’ drill cores makes this zone attractive and perspective for further development of crafts. Tutuyasskaya Square is also characterized by close arrangement to the developed infrastructure of consumers of gas — the cities of Mezhdurechensk, Novokuznetsk and Myski.

Abroad

For implementation of projects of PAO Gazprom abroad in sector of exploration and production the uniform operator — Gazprom EP International B.V is created. (Gazprom International) which in 2015 continued implementation of the international agreements and contracts, and also execution of license obligations under projects. The most part of the projects realized by Gazprom International provides performance of a full cycle of development of fields from search and investigation before production and realization of hydrocarbons. Last year the company conducted search and prospecting works in Algeria, Bolivia, Vietnam, the North Sea and Kyrgyzstan. The total amount of seismic exploration 3D and the gravity works made 309 sq.km and 139 sq.km respectively. In total 16.9 thousand meters were drilled, two wells are finished with construction. The gain of stocks for 2015 made nearly 2 billion cubic meters of gas and 630 thousand tons of condensate (in Algeria). Opening of a gas Than Bien field became the main result of works in Vietnam. The most deep-water well on the shelf of Vietnam is drilled –depth in a point of drilling made 1638 meters. There were used advanced technologies of drilling of sea wells.
Carrying out exploration works in Bolivia in the territory of the license Azero block was until recently complicated as 30% of the territory of the block are located in national park. In May, 2015 the government of Bolivia adopted the decree which allows carrying out exploration in the field of national parks and in territories of accommodation of indigenous people. Now the company together with partners in the project conducts work on registration of licenses in the field of environmental protection and to obtaining permissions to start works on the site.
In 2015 the company started exploration works in Kyrgyzstan on two squares — Kugart and East Mailisu-IV. Field gravity and seism prospecting works are conducted on both squares. Completion of works is planned in the current year.

Import substitution

Questions of replacement of foreign technologies when carrying out exploration works became actual beginning with 2014, in particular, in the sphere of the software. The companies of Gazprom Group get rights to use the software in the field of investigation and development of fields more than at 60 owners, 21 of which are foreign. So, the cumulative number of licenses in 2014 made about 550 units, and in 2015 grew more than on 17%. It is explained by increase in volumes of processing and interpretation of data of seismic exploration, the increased quantity of fields which maintenance of development happens to use of three-dimensional geological and hydrodynamic models, and also expansion of the functional tasks connected with transition to new technological methods of calculations. Despite prevalence of the domestic companies (JSC TSGE, JSC Pangeya, JSC LIT-TRUST, JSC Bursoftproyekt and other) in the nomenclature of producers, a share of the works performed with use of the import software (Schlumberger, Roxar, Landmark, Paradigm, etc.), makes more than 95%.
By present moment within implementation of the plan of measures on replacement of the foreign software testing of a number of domestic software products in JSC Gazprom VNIIGAZ, JSC TyumenNIIgiprogaz, JSC Gazprom Dobycha Yamburg and JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration is organized. Cooperation with a number of the domestic companies when performing a full cycle of works on calculation of stocks on two license sites of PAO Gazprom with application only of the domestic specialized software is organized. JSC TSGE under the contract with JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration carries out complex reprocessing and reinterpretation of the materials 2D/3D of last years, creation of uniform model of Abakan and Imbinsky license sites on the basis of domestic software. For data processing of seismic exploration the domestic Prime package (development of JSC Seysmotek) is used and interpretation of data of seismic exploration and creation of geological models is carried out with use of the software of Geoplat Pro-S and Pro-G which are developed by JSC Gridpoint Daynamiks based on packages DV Discovery and DV Geo of JSC TSGE. According to the planned schedule the work comes to an end in September, 2016. At the moment the stage of processing of materials of seismic exploration comes to an end. Preliminary results which are estimated by specialists of JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration as satisfactory are received.

Plans-2016

This year for implementation of the exploration work program in the territory of Russia considerable financing, thereof 70% is intended for implementation of projects on license sites of PAO Gazprom. The main volumes of exploration work will be concentrated in the Western and Eastern Siberia and on continental shelf of Russia. Key prospecting projects of Gazprom proceed. In 2016 in the territory of the Russian Federation, taking into account projects of UGS, it is planned to drill 77 thousand meters of rocks, to finish with construction of 34 search and estimated and prospecting wells, to execute 0.33 thousand linear km of seism prospecting works of 2D and also 20.2 thousand sq.km of 3D. The expected gain of reserves of hydrocarbons by results of performance of work is 510.8 million tons of equivalent fuel; thereof natural gas will make 477.6 billion cubic meters. The most essential gain is supposed to be received on Chayandinsky and Southern Kirinsky fields. According to the plans of works by the end of 2016 it is planned to prepare the Chayandinsky field for industrial development. Also in 2016 it is planned to cover all territory of the Kovykta field with seism prospecting shooting 3D, and by the end 2019 — to prepare completely a field for development, having drilled six prospecting wells.
As for exploration works abroad, transition of projects in Bolivia and Algeria from stages of geological studying at the stage of production and arrangement respectively is expected in this year. Geophysical works in Kyrgyzstan for studying of oil and gas capacity of this country will be continued. In total on projects abroad it is planned to drill 4.4 thousand meters of rocks, to finish with construction three prospecting wells, to execute 491 linear km of seism prospecting works of 2D and 41 sq.km of seismic exploration 3D. The gain of reserves of hydrocarbons by results of performance of work in Algeria and the North Sea is expected in the number of 4.1 million tons of equivalent fuel, including 3.1 billion cubic meters of gas.
In November, 2015 strategy of activity of PAO Gazprom abroad which defined priority regions of presence of the company was approved: South America, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa.