OAO Lukoil has begun production drilling in the Imilorskoye-Istochnoye license area in West Siberia. The company said it originally planned to start drilling this September.
Lukoil was awarded a 20-year license at an auction in December 2012. The license area is in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (OGJ Online, Feb. 25, 2013).
Imilorskoye field lies near Tevlinksko-Russkinskoye field “and may be viewed as its sibling in terms of geological properties,” Lukoil said.
Lukoil said it will develop four well pads. It has collected 3D seismic data, built 23 km of 426-mm oil pipelines, 42 km of roads, and a 74-m bridge across the Enti-Imiyagun River.
Lukoil plans additional seismic surveys in the license area, 11 wildcat wells, and retesting of 20 “historic” wildcat wells.