Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field. Oil and Gas Industry in Russia

The oil and gas industry today acts as one of the most important economic sectors in Russia. Its development ensures satisfaction of increasing needs in energy resources. The problem of the growth of reserves in the Far East is especially acute at the present time. This region is significantly removed from the main production areas. In 2008, work began on one of the sections of the shelf, located on. Sakhalin. In the course of them a relatively small pool was opened. Let us further consider its features.

Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field of Gazprom

As part of the preparatory work, several seismic surveys of 2D were performed. They allowed the preparation of two large structures, which are connected with elevated blocks from the Mesozoic dislocated basement. In search works on the licensed territory, the South Kirinskoye field was included first. This was due to the fact that during the seismic survey in this area a zone of a significant change in the dynamic characteristics of the roof reflections of the promising main Dagin suite was discovered. Its sandstone beds contain deposits that include the neighboring Kirinskoye gas condensate field. Immediately before the start of exploratory drilling, 3D seismic survey was performed on the whole area of the site.

The first project

Kirinsky deposit was discovered in 1992 year. In the autumn of 2013 this section of the shelf was not put into operation. On October 23-26 Miller and Markelov's visit was planned for a formal launch and report to the president on the successful work done. The commissioning was planned for the second quarter of 2014.

Description of the territory

The Kirinskoe site is located 28 km from the coastline in the sea. The depth here is 91 m. Initially, the basin's reserves were 75.4 bcm of ABC1 + C2 gas, and 8.6 mn tons of gas condensate were detected there . After the conducted in 2009-2010-ies. Geological exploration activities, reserves of the territory increased to 137 billion cubic meters in category C1. At the same time, recoverable condensate deposits amounted to 15.9 million tons.

Study design

Underwater mining complexes, whose mass is about 400 tons, was planned to be installed on the seabed. Each of them should combine two or four production wells. The use of these complexes is considered novel. It was planned to be used in the development of the territory for the first time in the country.

Specificity of production

Gas with condensate and water will be sent to the technological complex built on the shore. It is under construction in Nogliki District, 16 km from the coastline. Next, the pipeline will feed raw materials to the main compressor station. It is located in the Botasino area. From there, the gas will go to the trunk system, and the condensate will go to the existing oil pipeline. Management of the management company and the Government defined the deadline for the implementation of the feedstock supply plan in August 2012. OOO Gazprom-Proychycha Shelf was appointed as the operator of the project.

Project implementation

After the disaster that occurred in the power system of Japan, the Russian Government instructed to speed up the commissioning of the basin. As a result, Gazprom, which previously refused to attract foreign investors, will probably have to turn to foreign partners. In early autumn of 2012 it became known about the backlog from the planned terms in the construction of infrastructure. In this regard, the beginning of raw materials production was postponed to the 2nd quarter of 2013. After a while it was announced that a new Yuzhno-Kirinskoye deposit was discovered within the study area. The reserves revealed in it were not at that time still put on the balance of the management company. The site found, among other things, 464 million tons of oil. The management company promised that the raw materials will go to load the third stage of the plant on the island. Its introduction was planned for 2021. It was assumed that the construction of the line will be carried out for 5 million tons.

Identify

The South Kirinskoye field in the Sea of Okhotsk was discovered after the seismic 3D survey. Its deposits are revealed in the sand layers of the roof of the Daginskaya strata. The area of the seismic survey closes the southeast section of the field. It continues to the north-west and west. For the gas-saturated interval, the maximum effective power can reach 160 m, wedging all the way to the arch of the structure to the east. To the south the deposit is limited by a structural trap. The investigated area of the site is broken by low-amplitude numerous tectonic disturbances. However, they do not control the extent of the deposits.

The first tests

Exploration drilling fully confirmed the forecast, which was compiled based on the results of the seismic survey. The first drilled well revealed 2 saturated reservoirs located at the top. Their total thickness was 155 m. Geophysical measurements in the process of drilling and at its end allowed to obtain the primary petrophysical information for subsequent geoseismic modeling. After the completion of the first stage of prospecting and exploration across the entire territory of the Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field, it will be possible to significantly increase the resource base for the subsequent development of the extraction of raw materials in the Far East.

Yuzhno-Kirinskoye field: sanctions

Point-based restrictions have been introduced by the US authorities against a number of domestic companies. The US government and the Gazprom company did not fail. Various restrictions were imposed on the domestic monopolist. In particular, the US government banned the supply of any products of its own production to the South Kirinskoye field. The restriction applies not only to the supply, but also to the movement of American equipment inside the territory. This means that already purchased equipment can not be delivered to the field to continue development. The US government has decided that export, re-export deliveries, as well as the transfer within the state of any equipment subject to export regulation, to perform work in the basin study area by any person who did not previously agree with the US monitoring structure, will be considered a violation of the imposed prohibitions. The Yuzhno-Kirinskoye deposit was included in the sanctions list, since, as reported in the statements, it has significant oil reserves. In this regard, all the contractors of the management company, associated with American technology, had to abandon the supply.

Difficulties

The introduction of sanctions by America significantly complicates geological exploration work in the field. The fact is that its development using underwater mining complexes is unique and based on foreign modern technologies. The US government has found a project that is of particular importance to Gazprom. At the same time, the territory studied by the domestic company is located in the Asia-Pacific region. Here Gazprom acts as an uncomfortable competitor for the American LNG. According to Nesterov, the US thus solves its own strategic tasks. The American government is based on the interests of the current policy and conjuncture.

Features of prohibitions

Sanctions against the South Kirinsky deposit have been in effect since August 7, 2015. This date is set in the US federal register. It should be noted that these sanctions have previously concerned the domestic mining company. The first restrictions also concerned the supply of high-tech equipment for the oil and gas complex. Then the list with 30 names was given. Among other things, the list included drilling platforms, elements for horizontal wells, underwater, marine installations intended for operation in arctic conditions, as well as software intended to be used for hydraulic fracturing. In the fall of 2014, the US expanded its sanctions. In particular, the government banned the issuance of licenses for goods that are regulated by BIS, if they are intended for the delivery of five domestic companies. In addition to Gazprom, Lukoil, Rosneft, Surgutneftegaz, and Gazprom Neft are among the "banned". Restrictions on the supply also extend to the area where work is being done at a depth of more than 500 feet (about 152 meters). The management of Gazprom, in turn, was to blame for the fact that it itself refuses to equip countries that, following the United States, imposed sanctions against Russia.