Gazprom Neft hires semi for Sea of Okhotsk

Gazpromneft-Sakhalin, a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft, leased a semisubmersible rig from Hakuryu 5 Inc. to drill on Ayashsky block on the Sea of Okhotsk continental shelf. Japan Drilling Co. Ltd. owns Haburyu 5.

The Hakuryu-5 rig is being modified in preparation for the 2017 drilling season to deal with the harsh environment of the Russian Arctic. It will be the first exploratory and appraisal drilling on Ayashsky block, a Gazprom Neft news release said.

Ayashsky block, which is next to Sakhalin I and Sakhalin II, forms part of Sakhalin III. As part of the Sakhalin III project, Gazprom plans to explore three blocks: Kirinsky, Ayashsky, and Vostochno-Odoptinsky.

Last year, Gazprom reported “substantial gas and condensate inflow” from a discovery well on the Kirinsky block in the Sea of Okhotsk (OGJ Online, Sept. 23, 2016).