Sibir Energy PLC, London, expressed confidence that development of the Salym oil fields in Western Siberia will begin this year, resulting in first oil production in 2003.
The group expects production to rise steadily from 1,270 b/d in 2003 to 134,000 b/d in 2011, when production will plateau before declining. Peak production is seen at 143,500 b/d in 2013.
Development of the Salym fields has been delayed pending the finalization and granting of suitable production sharing agreement (PSA) terms (OGJ Online, Apr. 17, 2001). Sibir said it told its partner Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. that it is advisable to "proceed with the development as soon as possible and that if Shell do not agree to proceed with development then they should allow us to procure the immediate commencement of the field development."
It added: "We are confident that Shell recognize the prudence of our advice, and we therefore anticipate an acceleration of the development plan for the Salym fields."
Other Russian projects
Regarding the Priobskoye oil fields that Sibir is developing with Russia's OAO Sibneft, production is seen rising from 2,200 b/d at present to 90,000 b/d in 2016, remaining on plateau for 24 years before declining.
Sibir also said it has agreed in principle with S+T Oil Ltd. to acquire its 25%-plus-one-share interest in STBP Holdings Ltd. STBP Holdings owns 34 gasoline complexes in Moscow operated under the BP trademark. Sibir said sales volumes per complex are "well above comparative western European averages."
It added: "It is our expectation that over a 2 to 3-year period, the STBP Holdings network will expand to between 100 to 120 gasoline stations."
Sibir also said it is convinced there is significant and profitable growth potential in the development of the Moscow Oil Co. (MNK), the company's venture with Moscow government.
Elsewhere in Western Siberia, Aminex PLC, London, said the K-232 well in Kirtayel field in the Komi Republic flowed 2,100 b/d of oil, a rate much higher than the two previous completions.
Its AmKomi subsidiary said open hole logs provided strong evidence that the oil-water contact in K-232 is substantially deeper than expected. The well went on line at a stable 970 b/d.
