Gazprom Neft subsidiary Gazprom Neft Middle East B.V. has commissioned a third production well at its Sarqala field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)
Potential production at this new well is estimated at 12,000 bpd. Cumulative daily oil production at the field following the commissioning of the Sarqala-three well has increased by 25 per cent reaching 35,000 bbl.
The well runs to a total depth of 3,291 metres, with drilling having been undertaken under the challenging geological conditions of the Sarqala field, anomalously high pressure and reservoir temperature having demanded the use of a selection of 11 technological solutions.
The construction of the Sarqala-three well has, as a result, involved the use of large-diameter casing pipes with ultra-strong thread connections, weighted drilling mud for bottom-hole flushing, and cement incorporating mineral-based and iron-oxide additives.
Drilling the well has involved an international team, with members from 20 countries. The project was implemented by Gazprom Neft Middle East, with technical support from the Gazprom Neft Science and Technology Centre.
Vadim Yakovlev, first deputy CEO, Gazprom Neft, commented, “The Middle East remains an area of strategic interest to Gazprom Neft, being a region with a rich resource base, and a demonstrable willingness to allow access to investors. Experience in implementing projects from scratch, both in exploration and production, is important to us.”
“We are continuing to evaluate opportunities for the further development of our business in the Middle East, independently and in partnership with other companies, both using the synergies offered by existing project infrastructure, as well as at other assets,” he added.
