Ukrainian Producer Completes Tough Well Quickly

Ukraine's Dtek Oil & Gas has successfully drilled a 5,245-metre well in one of the country's most challenging gas fields in just 141 days, the privately owned company said October 21. 

The gas deposits of the Machukhske field are carbonate-derived and have abnormally high reservoir pressures and temperatures. "By completing this feat, the company has introduced a unique technological approach, as wells as innovative solutions, to effectively develop these reserves," it said. Older methods would have meant taking a year or more to complete the well. 

Dtek Oil & Gas CEO Igor Shchurov said: “Despite the adverse circumstances currently found in the oil and gas market, Dtek Oil & Gas continues to invest in the development of Ukrainian gas production. This year we have successfully completed the drilling of three wells and are continuing with the construction of two more." He said that this year the company will have spent about hryvnias 3bn ($100mn) – testimony, he said, to its determination to strengthen Ukraine's energy independence.

Many of Ukraine's biggest gas fields lie deep underground, and producers have been asking for government help as imports are relatively expensive.