On 24 November, drilling of the first appraisal well in the Iraqi Badra oil deposit, operated by Gazprom Neft, commenced. The depth of the appraisal well will reach 4,900m. Drilling is expected to be completed in April 2012.

Before drilling started, 3D seismic field surveys were carried out and the results were processed and evaluated. The seismic work clarified the geology and maps of the main productive strata have been produced. Based on the results of drilling the appraisal wells, a plan for the most efficient way for development of the deposit will be drawn up.

In July 2011, a three-year agreement was signed with Schlumberger to drill 11 wells. A total of three rigs will operate simultaneously on the site. Drilling of the second appraisal well at Badra will be started by the end of 2011 and in January 2012 the recommissioning and testing of the earlier Bd.1 exploratory well will commence. When investigations have been completed, the appraisal wells will become operational.

It is planned to start drilling a deep appraisal well (6,200m) to study the lower strata at the Badra deposit in June 2012. A tender is currently under way to test the wells and bring them into production.

“The results of the initial appraisal wells will allow us to better understand the geology of the location, produce a definitive operating plan and move to commercial production of at least 15,000 barrels of oil per day in August 2013. All the work on the project is being carried out in line with the schedule set out in the Badra operating agreement,” commented Vadim Yakovlev, First Deputy CEO of Gazprom Neft.

Tags: Gazprom Neft