Novatek reports Lower Achimov development at Urengoyskoye field

A joint venture (JV) between Russian natural gas producer Novatek and Gazprom Neft, Arcticgas, has completed horizontal well number ‘U2802’, which targets the lower Achimov formation of the Urengoyskoye field.

The development saw the completion of an eight-stage hydro-fracturing programme. It used a proppant volume of 2,187t at well number ‘U2802’, with a total length of 5,624m and a horizontal section of 1,500m.

Distinct wireless inflow monitoring technology that uses marked proppant was implemented for the lower Achimov formation.

Furthermore, Novatek said that permanent down-hole pressure and temperature gauges are used in production to monitor real-time data.

Making use of the advanced technologies, the well achieved a daily flow rate of more than one million cubic metres of natural gas and 500t of gas condensate, thereby confirming significant possibilities to develop the lower Achimov deposits.

The first phase of the Urengoyskoye field development was launched in April 2014, followed by the second in December 2014.

In 2016, a methanol production unit with a processing capacity of 50Mtpa was launched at the Urengoyskoye field.

The most prospective portion of the Achimov deposits is approximately 3,700m deep and is characterised by an ultra-high content of gas condensate in the hydrocarbon flow.

Novatek was established in 1994 and is engaged in the exploration, production, processing and marketing of natural gas and liquid hydrocarbons.

The company undertakes upstream activities primarily in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Region, which is said to be the world’s largest natural gas producing area and produces around 80% of Russia’s natural gas.