First CBM exploration well drilled in Kuzbass
RELEASE
Release
Drilling of first exploration well has been launched in the eastern area of the Talda coalbed methane (CBM) field, Kemerovo Oblast.
The event on the occasion of the drilling start-up was attended by heads and specialists from Gazprom specialized subdivisions and subsidiaries – Gazprom dobycha Kuznetsk, Gazprom promgaz, Gazobezopasnost as well as representatives of Rostekhnadzor (Russian Federal Service for Ecological, Technical and Atomic Supervision), Kemerovo Oblast Administration and Tomskburneftegaz drilling contractor.
The well is being drilled as part of the geological exploration that will estimate the geological and economic prospects for industrial production of methane from the Talda coal beds. During drilling operations the well completion, gas gathering and treatment technologies will be worked out as an essential element of CBM fields development in Kuzbass.
Background
The Talda CBM field is situated in the central part of Yerunakovskiy geological and economic region of Kuznetsk basin within the Novokuznetsk and Prokopievsk regions of the Kemerovo Oblast, 65 km north of Novokuznetsk. The field’s C1+C2 gas resources account for 44.8 billion cubic meters as was approved by the Russian Federation Ministry of Ecology and Natural Recourses in May 2009.
In 2005 Gazprom created a scientific testing site in the Talda field, Kuzbass in order to develop the CBM production technology.
In 2009 the Company is planning to drill seven exploration wells (600–1,000 meters depth) in the eastern area of the Talda CBM field. Gazprom dobycha Kuznetsk, a Gazprom’s wholly-owned subsidiary will be the subsurface user.
Based on the well testing results it is projected to start in late November the pilot well operation activities with the subsequent supply of methane as motor fuel to the consumer – Kuzbassrazrezugol Coal Company via CNG filling stations.