The Bazhenov Technology Centre (a Gazprom Neft subsidiary) is preparing to commence development of Bazhenov Formation deposits at Salym-group license blocks in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra. Commercial production of non-conventional oil — of which reserves in place at the Salymsky-3 and Salymsky-5 blocks stand at more than 500 million tonnes of oil — is expected to start in 2025.
Gazprom Neft has completed 3D-seismic investigations at the Salymsky-3 block, having surveyed more than 300 square kilometres using “Green Seismic” technology.* Data interpretation is expected to be complete by the end of 2020, with the results being used to update the geological concept of the Bazhenov Formation and the traditional deposits at that asset.
The first exploration and appraisal well (with a 1 km-plus horizontal section) has been drilled at the block, with more than 300 metres of core samples taken and despatched to laboratories in Khanty-Mansiysk and Tyumen for extensive examination. Preliminary results of rock-specimen tests indicate hydrocarbons present at six intervals throughout the strata, confirming this asset’s potential for commercial development.
