By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 10 -- OAO Gazprom and BASF-Wintershall have signed a memorandum that foresees the possible 50-50 development of two additional sites at the Achimov deposits at Urengoy field in north Western Siberia, Russia.
The document also stipulates that Gazprom will receive equivalent stakes in Wintershall’s exploration and production projects in the North Sea. The technological partnership will benefit both sides, the companies said.
Gazprom’s web site attributes recoverable volumes of more than 1 trillion cu m of gas and 200 million tons of condensate to the Jurassic Achimov deposits solely in fields owned by its Gazprom Dobycha Urengoy Co. subsidiary in the Nadym-Pur-Taz region of the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district.
The Achimov deposits, at nearly 3,600-3,800 m, represent a more complex geological structure as compared with the Upper Cretaceous formations at 1,100-1,700 m and Lower Cretaceous formations at 1,700-3,200 m in the area. Achimov also is overpressured at more than 600 atm and contains heavy paraffins.
Gazprom and Wintershall set up the Achimgaz joint venture in 2003 to develop the first Achimov pilot block (1A) in Urengoy field and began pilot production in 2008. That was the first ever production from the Achimov formation.
At start-up the companies said they plan to produce 200 bcm of gas and 40 million tons of condensate over the 43-year term of the Achimgaz joint venture.
Gazprom launched a stand-alone project for Achimov gas production in 2009 at a second pilot block with a design capacity of 3.5 billion cu m/year.
