PJSC Gazprom Neft says it has increased estimates of “commercial reserves” at its Ignyalinsky, Tympuchikansky, and Vakunaisky fields, collectively known as the “Chonsky project,” in East Siberia by 48% following geological prospecting operations conducted last year.
The increase in “recoverable oil reserves” amounts to 6.9 million tonnes, the firm adds, while “recoverable gas reserves” increased 64% to 22.3 billion cu m. The estimates have been confirmed by Russia’s State Commission for Mineral Reserves.
Ignyalinsky, Tympuchikansky, and Vakunaisky fields are on the border between the Irkutsk Oblast and the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). Licenses for the development of the blocks are held by Gazprom Neft subsidiary Gazpromneft-Angara.
Gazprom Neft says high-density, high-frequency seismic data have allowed the structure to be detailed in full—including the bedding of the strata and its geomorphological characteristics—and the field’s geological model to be further fine-tuned. About 2,600 sq km of 3D seismic has been run.
Active geological prospecting operations throughout the Chonsky project were initiated 3 years ago, and 13 prospecting, evaluation, and exploration wells have since been drilled across all three fields. In 2015, an exploration well was drilled in each of Vakunaisky and Ignyalinsky fields, while two were drilled at Tympuchikansky field.
