Gazprom Neft, Halliburton to Target Deep Siberian Layer

Russia's Gazprom Neft said on March 26 it had signed a preliminary agreement with US firm Halliburton on technological co-operation. It will enable it to penetrade the deep Achimov layers of its fields in Siberia, as well as optimise production from them, it said.

Halliburton's assistance will range from research and development to the implementation of technologies and solutions, Gazprom Neft said.

The Achimov formation spans much of the Western Siberian oil and gas basin but lies at depths of 4,000 metres. Its structures are considered challenging to develop as the gas is under abnormally high pressure but the rock is of low permeability. Gazprom and other Russian producers have therefore sought outside help to bring Achimov deposits into production.

Gazprom Neft's main aim is to exploit oil from Achimov, with the formation expected to play a key role in driving the company's production growth over the coming years. But it is also exploiting gas from Achimov strata at the giant Urengoi field, in partnership with Russia's Novatek. Its parent firm Gazprom produces gas from Achimov at Urengoi via a joint venture with Germany's Wintershall Dea. It wants to bring on board Austria's OMV as well, but the pair have delayed a deal finalising this partnership.