Technologies for efficient development of hydrocarbon resources on the Arctic and sub-Arctic shelf of Russia

Abstract

This article discusses the technical capabilities and results of the application of modern technologies for geological exploration, well drilling, development and operation of offshore oil and gas fields on the Arctic and sub-Arctic shelf of Russia. Based on the scientific and production experience of the authors, analysis of the results of search and exploration in the seas of the Arctic and the Far East, a consistent system of technologies for geological exploration is proposed. The use of such an integrated set made it possible to discover large and unique oil and gas fields in the Barents-Kara region (Medynskoe-more, Dolginskoe, Varandey-more, Kamennomysskoe and others). The features of geophysical work and technologies for achieving high quality seismic material the transition zone (land-sea) in the Ob bay, where due to the presence of permafrost in the upper part of the geological section, there is a significant change in the velocities and absorbing properties of rocks, are shown. Using the example of the Varandey-more field, a technology for integrating 3D deep-sea seismic data and seismic surveys in the land-sea transition zone is described, which made it possible to update the geological model of the field, detail the structural plans of oil-bearing horizons. As a result, after the completion of the interpretation of the survey data in the transit zone, it was recommended to drill an exploration well in the southern part of the field. It has been substantiated that the efficient shelf field exploitation is ensured through the use of new technologies (drilling of long horizontal wells; 4D seismic surveys at the Piltun-Astokhskoye and Lunskoye fields; well designs providing high gas production rates; subsea production at the Kirinskoye field).