Russia’s Rosneft has begun exploration work at the East Prinovozemelsky 1 and 2 license blocks in the Kara Sea.
Geological surveying has been started one year ahead of the license schedule. Work will run through October 2012. The surveying programme was devised together with ExxonMobil, Rosneft’s strategic partner in development of the East Prinovozemelsky 1, 2 and 3 blocks. RN Shelf Far East, a Rosneft subsidiary, will carry out the work.
3D seismic on an area of 3,000 square kilometres will be carried out at the East Prinovozemelsky 1 block. Three vessels will survey the area: Western Trident, capable of carrying up to 12 seismic cables, will carry out seismic, with support from 2 Russian vessels – Neftegaz 61 (bathymetric survey of the seabed) and Kapitan Kosolapov. The contractor is Dalmorneftegeophysica, a leader in the Russian marine seismic industry. Advanced technologies from WesternGeco, a global leader in marine seismic, will be used in the surveys.
2D seismic on an area of 5,300 kilometres will be carried out at the East Prinovozemelsky 2 block. Work will be performed by the Russian seismic vessel Geolog Dmitry Nalivkin and supported by Sleipner. The contractor is MAGE, a leading Russian marine seismic company with extensive experience in this region.
Site investigation work is also planned at the East Prinovozemelsky 1 block. The results will be used to develop plans for drilling the first wildcat wells.
[mappress] Press Release, August 17, 2012