Gazprom Neft expands oil production in Kurdistan

Gazprom Neft subsidiary Gazprom Neft Middle East BV has commissioned a third production well in Sarqala field in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Potential production from Sarqala-3 is estimated at 12,000 b/d of oil. Cumulative production from the field has reached 35,000 b/d, a 25% increase.

Drilling of Sarqala-3 to TD of 3,291 m involved an international team with members from 20 countries. Anomalously high pressure and reservoir temperature demanded the use of 11 technological solutions, the company said. Construction 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.

The project was implemented by Gazprom Neft Middle East, with technical support from the Gazprom Neft Science & Technology Centre.

“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,” said Vadim Yakovlev, first deputy chief executive officer. The company continues to evaluate opportunities for the further development, independently and in partnership with other companies, Yakovlev said.

Elsewhere in Kurdistan, Gazprom Neft is involved in projects on the Shakal and Garmian blocks. The company holds 80% interest in Shakal (the remainder held by the Kurdish government) and is operator of Garmian with 40% (along with the Kurdish government, 20%, and Canada’s WesternZagros, 40%).

Garmian block began oil flow in 2011, with commercial oil shipments commencing in 2015 (OGJ Online, June 1, 2011). Expansion of field infrastructure—including completion of a high and low-pressure separation processing line, two 17,000-bbl-capacity reservoirs, and reconstruction of the oil-tanker loading system—was completed in time for the commissioning of Sarqala-3.