Arktikshelfneftegaz (ASNG) is exploring three licence blocks (Medyn-Varandei, Pomorskiy and Kolokolmorskiy) on the shelf of the Pechora Sea, which is the south-eastern part of the Barents Sea. The first stage — geological exploration of the Medyn-Varandei block shall be completed in year 2005, and the exploration of the Pomorskiy and Kolokolmorskiy blocks is due for completion in 2007.
Field Characteristics
Medyn-Varandei block is characterized by shallow water depths of 10-22 meters. Total area of the block is 2,495 sq.km. The block is situated approximately 1000 km due east from Murmansk and 410 km from Naryan-Mar.
Water depths within Pomorskiy and Kolokolmorskiy do not exceed 40 meters. Total area of the Kolokolmorskiy block is 1,540 sq.km, and Pomorskiy 1,677 sq.km. Distances to nearest ports are approximately 800 and 200 km to Murmansk (deep water) and Naryan-Mar (Pechora river estuary) respectively
The blocks cover seven large and medium oil and gas bearing structures: Medyn-more 1 and 2, Varandei-more 1, 2 and 3, Pomorskiy and Kolokolmorskiy, plus 17 smaller structures.
The total initial resources in terms, of oil in place (OOIP), are estimated to be 1.1 billion tons. Total recoverable resources are estimated to be close to 300 million tons.
So far extensive exploration work was carried out
- 18.9 thousand km of 2-D seismics
- 352 km3 of 3-D seismics
- six exploration wells (totaling over 17.5 thousand m)
