Rosneft updates exploratory programs in Iraq, Brazil

Feb. 20, 2017
OJSC Rosneft has reported startups of exploratory drilling in Iraq and Brazil.

OJSC Rosneft has reported startups of exploratory drilling in Iraq and Brazil.

In Iraq, Rosneft will drill the Salman-1 well on Block 12 to a measured depth of 4,245 m through the Kurra Chine target horizon. China’s Zhongman Petroleum & Natural Gas Group (ZPEC) is the general drilling contractor.

Block 12 is in the Najaf and Muthanna provinces that border Saudi Arabia. It lies 80 km southwest of the city of Samawa and 130 km west of the city of Nasiriyah, and covers part of the Western Desert.

Rosneft also started drilling its first exploratory well in Brazil’s Solimoes basin. The company plans to drill at least four wells in its exploration campaign (OGJ Online, Nov. 28, 2016).

In July 2014, Rosneft Brasil and Petroleos Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) signed a memorandum of understanding for detailed analysis of options for monetization of natural gas in the Solimoes basin. In May 2015, Rosneft acquired PetroRio’s 55% in the project. The transaction resulted in Rosneft assuming formal operatorship of the project and holding 100% interest.