Commercial hydrocarbon production starts at Block 3А in Achimov formations of Urengoyskoye field

Today, commercial production of natural gas and gas condensate from Block 3А in the Achimov formations of the Urengoyskoye field has started in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area (YaNAA).

The production complex was launched by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Gazprom Neft Management Committee.

Urengoyskoye is one of the world's largest fields in terms of initial hydrocarbon reserves. The field is located in the Nadym-Pur-Taz region of the YaNAA, which is has traditionally been a hydrocarbon production region in Russia. Gas production from the field began in 1978.

Gazprom is performing the full-scale development of the field. In order to ensure the most efficient production from the field, the Company in a stepwise manner launches the development of the Achimov deposits, which are deeper than the traditional Cenomanian and Valanginian ones.

The Achimov deposits of the Urengoyskoye field lie at a depth of some 3,400–3,800 meters at an abnormally high formation pressure (over 600 atm). They are also characterized by a complex geological structure and a low permeability of rocks. The development of such formations requires cutting-edge technologies.

Gazprom Neft is the development operator of Block 3A in the Achimov formations of the Urengoyskoye field. To implement the project, the company has created a 3D geological model of the field's block with the use of domestic software suite and has drawn up a relevant program of pilot tests, operation and development. Said pilot activities have provided a basis for selecting efficient drilling and production techniques that use wells with a horizontal length of up to 1,800 meters, which is record-high for the industry, and the multistage hydraulic fracturing method. Over 100 options of the block's pre-development have been calculated and the best possible option has been determined that implies the integration of the block with the existing infrastructure facilities of the field, which are operated by Gazprom Dobycha Urengoy.

The pilot activities were carried out with the use of mobile separation systems and a condensate stabilization unit. This solution has made it possible to produce hydrocarbons for their processing and supplies to consumers even before this block of the field was put into commercial operation.

Advanced process equipment for the pre-development works was delivered as modules prefabricated to the maximum extent possible. As a result, the installation time has been reduced and the project has been implemented within a tight timeframe of just three years.

The main production complex comprises more than 100 production and auxiliary facilities for the reception, treatment and shipment of hydrocarbons. The key pre-development facilities are gas pre-treatment units and condensate stabilization units. All of the core equipment is of Russian make.

The annual production at Block 3А of the Urengoyskoye field will amount to up to 5 billion cubic meters of gas and 1.5 million tons of gas condensate.

The produced gas is to be fed into Russia's Unified Gas Supply System. Stable gas condensate is sent to the Urengoyskaya oil pumping station and then to the Urengoy – Pur-Pe oil and condensate pipeline. Unstable gas condensate is sent to the Urengoy Condensate Treatment Plant, and natural gas liquids to the Surgut Condensate Stabilization Plant of Gazprom Pererabotka.

“Due to working with deep-lying deposits, we receive additional amounts of hydrocarbons, namely natural gas to be supplied to our consumers in Russia and liquid hydrocarbons which are a valuable feedstock for the petrochemical and oil refining industries. Owing to high-tech projects like Block 3А of the Urengoyskoye field, we fulfill our task of a responsible and efficient development of the resources present in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area. And most importantly, we provide the energy security and technological sovereignty of Russia,” said Alexey Miller.

“We have started the full-scale production at Block 3А of the Urengoyskoye field much earlier than it usually happens at such projects within this industry. It is innovative engineering and digital solutions, together with the expertise of Gazprom Neft in the development of complex reserves, that became the key to the Achimov formations of the field. During the implementation of this project, we have gained a new valuable experience and an understanding of the region's geological specifics. This will help us in our work with other Achimov formations found in Western Siberia,” said Alexander Dyukov.