In 2017 by results of the performed prospecting works PAO Gazprom received the gain of explored reserves in number of 851.9 billion cubic meters of gas and 88.2 million tons of liquid hydrocarbons. The coefficient of completion of gas reserves made 1.8.
For the purpose of search and investigation of deposits of hydrocarbons and also structures for the underground storage of gas in the territory of the Russian Federation Gazprom Group executed 13.5 sq.km of seismic works 3D, 59.2 thousand running meters of rock are drilled, finished with construction of 33 search and estimated and prospecting wells. Prospecting works were carried out on 140 license sites.
In 2017 Gazprom opened two fields: Yuzhno-Lunsky on the shelf of the Sea of Okhotsk and Salairsky in Krasnoyarsk Territory. Besides, on earlier opened fields in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area 16 new deposits are revealed, including 15 deposits on Tambeysky and one on the Padinsky field.
The industrial value of fields of Tambeysky group is significantly increased — the gain of explored reserves of gas of 596.5 billion cubic meters is received. Besides the estimated gas reserves (category C2) increased on more than 4 trillion CBM. Based on the analysis of new geological information it is found that the geological objects on West Tambeysky, North Tambeysky and Tasiysky license sites which were earlier considered as separate fields represent a single field — Tambeysky.

Key regions and directions

The regions, within which prospecting works are carried out by the enterprises of Gazprom Group, remain the same. Among them key regions are Yakutia, the Irkutsk region, Nadym-Pur-Tazovsky region, Yamal Peninsula and also Far East shelf. In an active phase of realization there were prospecting works projects on the licenses obtained in 2013-2014 in the Kara Sea.
The prospecting works projects are realized as within the current tasks of PAO Gazprom, as well as on prospect. So, for creation of the new centers of gas production in Eastern Siberia and in the Far East paramount is additional exploration of Chayandinsky, Kovykta and Southern Kirinsky fields. In the zone of Uniform system of gas supply of Russia the main projects of prospecting works are concentrated on investigation deep-laying the Achimov and the Jurassic deposits, and also Cenomanian deposits in Nadym-Pur-Tazovsky region — for maintenance of levels of production of the operating fields. On the Arctic and Far East shelf of the Russian Federation is for providing a gain of stocks on more remote prospect.
In 2017 prospecting works in Russia were carried out on 140 license sites in four perspective directions. Within works on oil-and-gas complexes of shelves of the seas are drilled a well No. 3 on the Leningrad field and a well No. 1 East within the Kirinsky perspective site and also test of the directional well No. 2 on the Kruzenshternsky field is finished. Seismic works 3D on the Leningrad, Skuratovsky and Nevsky, Fersmanovsky sites in the volume of 7436 sq.km are performed.
During works on Achimov and Jurassic deposits efficiency of the Achimov and the Jurassic complex on Tambeysky group of fields is confirmed. The current assessment of stocks on the sum of industrial categories makes 3.9 trillion CBM. By results of drilling of new wells on the Urengoy field the considerable gain of stocks in Achimov deposits which made 194.9 billion cubic meters is received. The project works on increase of efficiency of drilling and test the Achimov and the Jurassic deposits providing construction of the inclined directed and horizontal wells on the target horizons the Achimov and the Jurassic deposits, carrying out multistage hydraulic fracturing of layers, use of expanded complexes of geographic information systems are performed.
Within prospecting works on a Cenomanian gas complex implementation of the program of the accelerated preparation of reserves of hydrocarbons of a Cenomanian complex in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area for maintenance of gas production in the zone of Uniform system of gas supply is continued. Drilling seismic works and thematic operations on the Medvezhye field are performed. In 2017 Medvezhye field prospecting well No. 3C was finished with construction, in which after carrying out multistage hydraulic fracturing of layer in a horizontal trunk inflow of gas with an average daily output of 83 thousand CBM per day was received and maximum output reached values of 107.6 thousand CBM per day. As well as 780 sq.km of wide azimuth seismic works 3D with use of adaptive vibration seismic exploration technique are executed on the field. The results of the performed works allowed detailing geologic-geophysical characteristics of Cenomanian deposits. New design decisions are developed for construction of exploration and appraisal wells 5C and 6C. These wells it is planned to drill with the horizontal termination of a trunk and with application of multistage hydraulic fracturing of layer.
During prospecting works on oil-and-gas complexes of Eastern Siberia works on additional exploration of Chayandinsky, Tas-Yuryakhsky, Verkhnevilyuchansky, Sobolokh-Nedzhelinsky and Srednetyungsky fields are continued. For the purpose of preparation of stocks for industrial development of the Kovykta gas-condensate field two prospecting wells are finished with construction, works on geological studying of subsoil are performed.
In 2017 on the Kovykta, Handinsky and Chikansky sites seismic works 3D are carried out. Within the Kovykta field electrical prospecting works and geochemical shooting are performed. On Handinsky and Kovykta license sites works on construction of prospecting wells were performed (six wells were in drilling). Thus it should be noted that the Kovykta gas-condensate field is in limits of three license sites: Kovykta, Handinsky and Chikansky, besides, insignificantly goes beyond the specified sites in unallotted fund of subsoil.
On the peninsula of Kamchatka works on calculations of stocks and designing of gas-condensate field of North Kolpakovsky, Kshuksky fields and Kolpakovskaya Square are performed. Seismic works on again received site November-1 are begun.

Shelf

Plans in the Arctic zone first of all are connected with carrying out prospecting works on license sites of PAO Gazprom located in the Kara Sea on which opening of considerable stocks of hydrocarbon raw materials is expected. In 2017 works on construction of a prospecting well No. 3 of the Leningrad gas-condensate field on the shelf of the Kara Sea were successfully completed. The well is drilled to hole target 2030 meters. In the process of construction of a well the full complex of researches provided by project documentation was executed, accident-free conducting of a well is provided, idle times are not assumed that allowed to finish construction of a well with an advancing of design terms of construction for seven days. As a result of test of two objects in an operational column of a prospecting well No. 3 of the Leningrad gas-condensate field industrial inflows of gas condensate are received. The maximum output of 990 thousand CBM is received in Lower Cretaceous deposits. The gain of stocks on a well No. 3 of the Leningrad gas-condensate field is protected in 2018 in volume of 667.6 billion cubic meters of gas.
In 2017 seismic works of the Kara Sea, 3D on shelf, with application of the modern methods and technologies allowing characterizing in details perspective objects for their subsequent preparation for exploration and appraisal drilling are continued. Thus it should be noted that seismic works in the Kara Sea are performed with a considerable advancing of the terms provided in license agreements. Seismic works 3D on Leningrad (1900 sq.km), on Skuratovsky (226 sq.km), Nevsky (1160 sq.km) and Fersmanovsk (4150 sq.km) sites are performed. In the short term the main prospecting works are planned in the Kara Sea. Construction of wells in the Barents Sea is supposed after 2020.
On the shelf of the island Sakhalin PAO Gazprom is the owner of three licenses for a right of use of subsoil, including the Kirinsky field, Kirinsky perspective and East Odoptinsky sites. Within the Kirinsky perspective site three fields are opened: Yuzhno-Kirinsky oil-gas condensate in 2010, Mynginsky gas-condensate field in 2011 and Yuzhno-Lunsky in 2017.
One search and eight prospecting wells are drilled on the Southern Kirinsky field. In 2017 works on construction of an exploration and appraisal well No. 1 of Vostochnaya Square were completed. Construction was conducted with use of the Polar lights semisubmersible floating drilling rig belonging to PAO Gazprom. The well is drilled to a hole target of 3020 meters. By results of construction of a well the geological model of the Yuzhno- Kirinsky field is confirmed.
Results of construction of a well No. 1 Vostochnaya allowed specifying a geological structure of the Yuzhno-Kirinsky field at the expense of drilling out and specification of the structural plan. Expeditious calculation of stocks is considered in the State Commission on Reserves of Minerals, the gain of stocks planned in 2018 makes 100.9 billion cubic meters of gas. In 2016 as a result of drilling and test of a prospecting well on Yuzhno- Lunsky structure of the Kirinsky perspective site industrial inflow of natural gas and gas condensate is received. In 2017 calculation of stocks of a new Yuzhno-Lunsky field that was the basis for statement of stocks on the State balance was considered and accepted by the State Commission on Reserves of Minerals and allowed declaring opening of a field officially. Stocks of a field are counted on the category C1 and make 48.9 billion cubic meters of gas and 7.7 million tons of condensate. The protocol of calculation of stocks is approved by Rosnedra in April, 2017.

Plans

In 2018 it is planned to continue prospecting works in the main perspective directions: on the Yamal Peninsula, on the shelf of the Kara Sea, on Achimov and Jurassic deposits, on a Cenomanian gas complex and in Eastern Siberia. It is planned to execute 6729 sq.km of seismic prospecting works 3D on oil and gas in the territory of the Russian Federation and also for the purpose of search of structures of the underground gas storages, to drill 65 thousand running meters of rocks, to finish with construction 30 search and estimated and prospecting wells, to receive a gain of stocks in number of 496.9 billion cubic meters of gas and 41.7 million tons of liquid hydrocarbons.
For increase of efficiency of carrying out of exploration works necessary work is done on the shelf, both at stages of medium-term and long-term planning and at the organization of the current production activity of Gazprom. According to the Program of development of mineral resources of PAO Gazprom for the period till 2040 prospecting works on the shelf of the Russian Federation provide a considerable gain of reserves of hydrocarbons. The main task at a stage of planning of prospecting works on the shelf is the choice of priorities proceeding from terms of input of fields. Key object in the short term is the cluster of the shelf of the Kara Sea, adjacent to the Yamal Peninsula (Nyarmeysky, Skuratovsky, Leningrad and Rusanovsky sites). During 2018-2021 it is planned to finish with construction eight wells on the shelf of the Kara Sea, to execute more than 9 thousand square kilometers of seismic works 3D on Nyarmeysky, Skuratovsky, Amderminsky, Beloostrovsky, West Sharapovsky sites. The planned gain of stocks for 2018-2021 will make more than 1 trillion CBM of gas.
As for the Achimov and the Jurassic deposits of Nadym-Pur-Tazovsky region of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, the gas enterprises of Gazprom carry out prospecting works on the perspective layers lying below the main operational object. For Nadym-Pur-Tazovsky region it is the Achimov and Jurassic deposits lying at a depth up to 4.5 thousand meters. The basis for geological studying and statement of deep drilling on these deposits is the considerable total size of an assessment of resources of this complex. Efficiency of the Achimov-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, JSC Severneftegazprom, and also on license sites of PAO Gazprom on the Yamal Peninsula (Tambeysky group of fields). Now Achimov and Jurassic complexes in different degree are examined by deep drilling. From Achimov deposits on the Urengoy oil-gas condensate field gas production and gas condensate are in progress. Efficiency of the Jurassic and Achimov complexes is confirmed on Tambeysky group of fields of PAO Gazprom.
Now on fields of Tambeysky group prospecting works, including on the Jurassic oil-and-gas complex proceed. For the purpose of studying of the Jurassic deposits the prospecting works projects which full realization is planned in the next years are developed. In 2018 it is planned to finish with construction four prospecting wells. Current taken reserves of hydrocarbons of fields of Tambeysky group on the sum of industrial categories as of the beginning of 2018 make: gas – 7.7 trillion CBM, condensate – 599.2 million tons, oil – 29.7 million tons. In total on this gas-bearing complex it is planned to develop about 670 billion cubic meters of gas and 100 million tons of condensate in the next years.
The active phase was entered by works on additional exploration of a Cenomanian gas complex which represents considerable interest, especially on fields with the falling production. Since 2012 to the present JSC Gazprom Dobycha Nadym within the Bear oil-gas condensate field carries out prospecting works directed on an assessment of prospects of a Cenomanian gas complex to the period. Four exploration and appraisal wells are drilled on a field: 1C, 2C, 3C and 4C, earlier drilled prospecting wells of the Bear oil-gas condensate field were reactivated and tested for efficiency: 13, 14, 18, 60, 3D method seismic works are carried out. The executed complex of prospecting works already now confirms efficiency of a Cenomanian gas complex. By results of the prospecting works performed by JSC Gazprom Dobycha Nadym on a Cenomanian gas complex, the State commission on reserves of hydrocarbons for the first time entered gas reserves on Senonian deposits of 9.9 billion cubic meters in the state books.
Considering results of prospecting works on the Bear field, the assessment of resources of a Cenomanian complex on fields of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area is expert executed: Medvezhye – 1495.1 billion cubic meters; Yamburg — 1388 billion cubic meters; Polar — 208 billion cubic meters; Vyngapurskoye – 205.5 billion cubic meters; Vyngayakhinskoye — 58 billion cubic meters; Komsomol – 187.2 billion cubic meters; Southern Russian — 338 billion cubic meters; Gubkinskoye and North Gubkinskoye – 291.5 billion cubic meters; Ety-Purovskoye – 160.1 billion cubic meters. The size of resources of a Cenomanian complex on the specified fields is expert estimated of more than 4 trillion CBM of gas.
According to the approved plans in 2018 it is planned to execute construction of horizontal exploration and appraisal wells 5C and 6C with a difficult design of a horizontal trunk (the operated ports), as well as to execute 400 sq.km of seismic works 3D on Medvezhye and Polar fields, to drill and begin test of a horizontal exploration and appraisal well No. 700г of the Vyngapurovsky field and also to experience Cenomanian deposits in wells of old prospecting fund on Medvezhye and Vyngapurovsky fields; to continue project works on Komsomol and Yamburg fields.
Preparation for development of stocks of the Cenomanian deposits will allow using the operating infrastructure, to prolong terms of operation of fields and, as a result, to postpone the time of elimination of fields.
Also within additional exploration of a Cenomanian gas complex of JSC Severneftegazprom trial operation of the Turonian gas deposit of the Southern Russian field is carried out.
Implementation of prospecting works projects on a Cenomanian gas complex is the priority direction for effective development of mineral resources. The uniform operator on implementation of the specified projects is JSC Gazprom Geological Exploration.
The main objective within implementation of the Program of creation of uniform system of production, transportation of gas and gas supply in Eastern Siberia and in the Far East taking into account possible gas export on the markets of China and other countries of the Pacific Rim is preparation for industrial development of reserves of the hydrocarbons sufficient for the organization of the new centers of gas production providing internal needs of east regions of Russia and export deliveries to Asia-Pacific countries. Gazprom conducts prospecting works in Irkutsk region, Yakutia and Krasnoyarsk Region.