Sakhalin Oil Research Articles

Влияние изменения состава флюида морского многофазного трубопровода на показатели режима эксплуатации при различных диаметрах

The paper investigates the effect of changes in the composition of a multiphase fluid over the time of operation of the field at different diameters of the offshore pipeline on such basic operational parameters as temperature, pressure, and the size of the slugcatcher in front of the platform equipment. The conditions of the pipeline routeare close to the conditions of the Sakhalin shelf. The composition and properties of the extracted fluid were chosen approximately based on the oil fields of the North-East Sakhalin oil and gas region. Modeling of the operating modeof pipelines of various diameters was carried out using the PIPESIM software package and the built-in multiphase flow correlation method «OLGAS 3-Phase HD». The obtained results of the study revealed certain dependencesof the change in the diameter of the pipeline on the parameters of its operation along the profile of pipeline. Based on the results of the study, recommendations for modeling multiphase pipelines for offshore fields were formed.

Городское расселение в Сахалинской области: результаты постсоветской трансформации

The author analyzes the trends in the post-Soviet structural and demographic transformation of the network of urban settlements of the Sakhalin. It is shown, how the urbanization process in the region entered a crisis phase, and numerous cities and urban-type settlements, despite largescale projects for the development of Sakhalin oil and gas, lost a significant part of their economic and demographic potential as a result of the economic reforms of the 1990s.

Sakhalin Oil: the struggle for transport independence and security (second quarter of the ХХ century)

Sakhalin Oil: the struggle for transport independence and security (second quarter of the ХХ century)

The struggle for Sakhalin oil

The struggle for Sakhalin oil

Results of reinterpretation of marine geochemical survey on the Sakhalin shelf

Geochemical survey of hydrocarbons (HC) all over the world is a reliable tool of the complex of geological exploration, which allows to localize hydrocarbon saturation in structures exposed by seismic exploration, as well as to identify non-structural deposits. In 2011, a marine geochemical survey of the sorbed gases of bottom sediments was carried out on the shelf section of the northwest of Sakhalin Island. Based on the results of geochemical studies, 12 maps of the distribution of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases in the work area and 7 maps of the distribution of metals in bottom sediments were constructed. Promising areas were distinguished by anomalies with the maximum content of parameters. The research area is characterized by a complex structure, located within the Baikal synclinal zone of the North Sakhalin oil and gas basin, which is part of the rift system of the Cenozoic sedimentary basins the Sea of Okhotsk. In 2019, the authors began to re-process and reinterpret the data in order to clarify the results. The work was based on modern theoretical foundations and methodological approaches of oil and gas prospecting geochemistry. The interpretation of the results was carried out on the basis of the model of interpretation of geochemical anomalies developed by the authors. Maps of anomalies were constructed according to 11 geochemical criteria and two geological and geochemical sections. The complex interpretation of geological and geochemical data was carried out taking into account the results of seismic exploration and drilling in a single project. According to the results of the complex interpretation, 6 promising sites were identified, which are ranked according to the degree of prospects.

Sakhalin oil in Soviet-Japanese relations in the second quarter of the twentieth century

Sakhalin oil in Soviet-Japanese relations in the second quarter of the twentieth century

Oil Pollution and Poisoning of the Wild Bird in Hokkaido, and the Threat of the “Sakhalin Oil and Gas Extraction Projects”

ロシア連邦のサハリン島では，サハリン開発と呼ばれる石油・天然ガス開発が進められている。鉱区であるサハリン北東の沿岸は希少種オオワシの繁殖地にあたる。2000年より実施してきたオオワシの生態調査では，潟湖周辺に約300つがいが繁殖していると推察され，1000個近い巣も確認されている。オホーツク海に接するサハリン北東の潟湖は極めて浅く，この浅瀬や沿岸の湿地帯に敷設されたパイプラインが破断した場合，石油は瞬く間に湖底まで汚染し，ワシの重要な餌資源を根絶するばかりか，周辺の生態系も壊滅してしまう。この島は凍結と解氷を繰り返す脆弱な土壌や活断層が多く，パイプラインが破断した場合，石油が河川，隣接する湿原や潟湖，さらにはオホーツク海へと広がることが危惧される。2006年2月，知床半島に5500羽以上の石油に汚染された海鳥の死体が漂着した。東樺太海流に乗ってサハリン沖から流されてきたと思われたが，汚染源は特定されていない。漂着鳥の多くは，石油が身体に付着したことで浮力を失い，溺死もしくは低体温症により死亡したと診断された。消化管に石油が確認された個体も多く，羽繕い等の際に石油を経口摂取したと推察された。海鳥が漂着した海岸で2羽のオオワシも死体として収容され，胃内から黒褐色の油に汚染された海鳥の羽毛や骨が認められた。消化器系病変の他，副腎や甲状腺の肥大など重油を経口摂取した際に認められる病理所見も確認された。

Japan’s need for Russian oil and gas: A shift in energy flows to the Far East

This article examines the choices of Japan’s governmental institutions vis-à-vis Russian supplies of oil and gas. First, there is a perceived need to diversify the sources of crude oil in order to avoid too much reliance on the Middle East. Following the inauguration of the Sakhalin oil projects and completion of the ESPO pipeline, Russian crude oil is nearing a 10% share in the Japanese market. It is suggested that Russian crude oil supplies have been chosen due to their proximity, safety and flexibility, and their positive effect on Japan’s bargaining power in relation to crude suppliers in the Middle East. Second, Japan’s shift from nuclear to LNG in power generation after the Fukushima accident in March 2011 increased LNG imports by 25% in just two years. While Qatar expanded its market share the most, Russia also gained, even though it only had one operational LNG project in Sakhalin-2. Russian companies are now working on several LNG projects in Northeast Asia and the Arctic region. However, the resumption of nuclear power in Japan might have a negative impact on new Russian LNG projects.

A New Energy Age in Pacific Russia: Lessons from the Sakhalin Oil and Gas Projects

A noted British specialist in Russia's economic geography and the Far East region presents a comprehensive account of the development of the onshore and offshore oil and gas deposits of Sakhalin. Following a review of early multinational activity in geological surveying and exploration during the 1970s, he charts subsequent changes in the entities formed to develop and exploit the deposits (Sakhalin-I and -II) later in the Soviet period and during the first two decades of Russian independence. These changes have responded to improved knowledge of the geology of the deposits and changing relations between the Russian central government and Sakhalin regional authorities. Also analyzed are efforts by the Russian side to overturn or otherwise modify terms of previous agreements deemed unfavorable, and maneuvering by China and Japan to secure increasing sources of supply for their markets. With Sakhalin's two core projects now entering the active production phase, the author distills a number of key issues that have shaped the development of the island's offshore hydrocarbon resources and will have a bearing on prospects for a future generation of less spectacular new projects (incremental development); he also outlines wider lessons that have been learned over the life of Sakhalin's projects. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F210, L710, L950, P330, Q400. 4 figures, 2 tables, 45 references.

サハリンの陸上油田開発から陸棚開発プロジェクトに至る歴史―プロジェクトへの想いと平成２１年のサハリン紀行―

In the Sakhalin Island, the oil show was discovered near Okha city in 1880. Hokushinkai (Japanese company) developed this oil and imported it into Japan in 1924. Japanese North Sakhalin Oil Co., Ltd. succeeded the business of Hokushinkai and continued until 1943.56 Japanese died during 1923-1943 years and were buried in Okha. After 1943, none of the Japanese visited the Japanese grave of Okha.In 1975, Sakhalin Oil Development Cooperation Co., Ltd (old SODECO) made the agreement (G/A) with the USSR to explore the shelf of the Sakhalin Island.In the north-east shelf area, the Odoptu and Chayvo oil/gas fields were discovered. These oil/gas fields and the Arkutun/Dagi oil/gas field developed as Sakhalin-1 project. And the Luni structure and the Piltun/Astokh structure developed as Sakhalin-2 project.The author worked in Sakhalin in times of the Japan and Soviet co-operational exploration based on G/A. But the foreigners who worked in Sakhalin were not able to be accompanied by a family in the Sakhalin.In 2009, he guided his wife and visited Sakhalin, and she enjoyed sight seeing of the place that he worked in old days. And he recognized the present circumstances of the Sakhalin and difference with that of the USSR era.Another purpose of his visit to the Sakhalin was to burn incense for the 56 Japanese deceased in Okha. But the graveyard was removed, and he recited the sutra from the hill which overlooked the lost grave.

Particle tracking experiments on a model of the Okhotsk Sea: Toward oil spill simulation

Particle tracking experiments were conducted for the Sea of Okhotsk using a three-dimensional ocean circulation model, as a step toward the simulation of oil spills. The model’s reproducibility is first examined in detail. Comparison with surface drifter and moored ADCP data shows that the model successfully reproduces the velocity field over the shelves, particularly in the weak stratification period. This is because the current variability is simply determined by integration of the alongshore component of the wind stress over the coast from which arrested topographic waves propagate. Good agreement even in the ice-covered period implies that the neglect of sea ice in the model is not a problem for reproduction of the current over the shelves. Good agreement also supports the correction of ECMWF wind speed by a factor of 1.25. A series of particle tracking experiments was carried out to examine the case of particles released from the Sakhalin oil field at depths of 0 m and 15 m. Regardless of the deployment month and year, most particles at depth 15 m are transported southward along the Sakhalin coast, in accordance with the abrupt intensification of the East Sakhalin Current in October, finally arriving offshore of Hokkaido in November–January. Particles at the surface, which are affected by wind drift in addition to the ocean current, show larger yearly variability. In years when the offshoreward-wind dominates, the particles would be advected out of the mainstream of the current and would not be transported offshore of Hokkaido.

Chayvo Field, Sakhalin Island, Russia: Identifying a Significant Oil Leg From 3D Seismic and Execution of an Extended-Reach-Drilling Program

This article, written by Technology Editor Dennis Denney, contains highlights of paper SPE 103588, "Chayvo Field, Sakhalin Island, Russia: Identification of a Significant Oil Leg From 3D Seismic and Execution of a World Class Extended-Reach-Drilling Program," by Ted G. Apotria, Randall S. Mathis, Richard J. Powell, and Bridget A. Venner, ExxonMobil, prepared for the 2006 SPE Russian Oil and Gas Technical Conference and Exhibition, Moscow, 3–6 October. The Chayvo field was thought to contain primarily gas, given the results of drilling delineation crestal wells. 3D-seismic-amplitude anomalies indicated potential for very large, previously unrecognized oil rims. Ongoing drilling proved successful, with actual reservoir depths within a few meters of projected depths at well reaches of 9 to 11 km, underscoring the value of integrating seismic interpretation and extended-reach-well planning in a 3D-visualization environment. Introduction A 3D-seismic survey acquired in 1997 over the Chayvo field, offshore Sakhalin Island (Fig. 1), identified the potential for large oil rims in reservoirs that had tested mostly gas in crestal wells. The rims were identified from pairs of amplitude anomalies that conformed to structural contours and were interpreted as gas/oil and oil/water contacts. Several interpretation techniques were used to increase confidence in the estimated contacts and predict contact depths. The oil rims and contact depths were tested and confirmed with an appraisal well drilled in 2000, resulting in a significant oil project. Exploration History In 1971, the Chayvo anticline was identified and mapped from regional seismic data. In 1976–77, an additional 702.4 km of 24-fold 2D common-depth-point seismic lines was acquired before drilling the exploratory well. The Chayvo field was discovered in 1979 by the Russian oil company Sakhalinmorneftegas-Shelf and the Japanese consortium Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development Company. The discovery well was drilled on the crest of the structure and penetrated a series of deltaic reservoirs containing one thin oil column and several stacked gas-pay zones. Subsequently, four additional delineation wells were drilled (1979–81), all within 200 m of the structural crest. These delineation wells also penetrated mostly gas, finding only two thin oil rims. In 1982, the field was assessed as primarily a gas resource, and development was deferred because of minimal oil resources and absence of a suitable gas market. In 1995, a production-sharing agreement covering Chayvo and two other fields (Odoptu and Arkutun-Dagi) was awarded. In 1997, a 54-fold 3D-seismic survey (298 km2) was acquired over the Chayvo field. The new survey was used to identify and define structural elements, paleodepositional environments, and potential reservoir-fluid contacts. Interpretation revealed seismic-amplitude anomalies that conformed to structural spill and were downdip of gas accumulations seen in crestal wells indicating the potential for very large, previously unrecognized oil rims. As a result, delineation well Chayvo 6a was drilled (in 2000), which successfully tested an approximately 100-m-thick oil column in the main reservoir. The full-length paper details the identification process.

Energy Politics in Japanese-Soviet Relations in the 1970s

This paper addresses the following questions. What is the essence of “energy politics” in the relations between the Soviet Union and Japan in the 1970s? How did political actors influence the two countries' energy policies? What factors underlined economic complementarity in Japan-Soviet relations during the same period? Finally, what was the significance of bilateral energy cooperation on the overall structure of their relations during this period?This paper analyzes major political trends as well as energy institutional establishments in the two countries during the 1970s, which was marked by the two countries' economic rapprochement and first initiatives for energy collaboration. It underlines the complementarity as well as the linkage between domestic and foreign policies in Japan and the Soviet Union based on case studies of major joint energy-development projects, such as Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development Project as well as the Tyumen Oil Project and Yakutiya Gas Project.Finally, focusing on the late 1970s, the paper considers the two countries' domestic political factors and international developments leading to the downturn in Japanese-Soviet trade relations that had a detrimental effect on bilateral energy cooperation during the same period and beyond. The paper also highlights the impact of the Kuril territorial dispute on the two countries' economic relations, which became the basis of the Japanese policy of “the inseparability of politics and economics” (seikeifukabun) adopted toward the USSR throughout the 1980s. In conclusion, the dynamics of bilateral energy politics and their impact on the overall Japanese-Soviet relations are analyzed.

Globalization of Sakhalin's Oil Industry: Partnership or Conflict? A Reflection on the

Globalization of Sakhalin's Oil Industry: Partnership or Conflict? A Reflection on the

Prospects for oil and gas exports to Northeast Asia from Siberia and the Russian Far East, with a particular focus on Sakhalin

The spring of 2003 saw a number of key announcements relating to the Sakhalin oil and gas projects. After considerable speculation, the Sakhalin Energy Investment Company announced that it was to go ahead with a $10 billion investment to construct Russia's first liquefied natural gas plant to export gas to Northeast Asia. This article examines the wider context of Russia's potential as an oil and gas supplier to Northeast Asia. It considers the prospects for the numerous gas pipeline projects that are being proposed. It then focuses in detail on the prospects for oil and gas development offshore of Sakhalin. The background to the current projects is presented and the composition and current status of the major projects reviewed. The article then examines the processes that are helping to shape the projects and places Sakhalin with the wider debate of the impact of globalisation upon Russia's economic transformation. The paper concludes by assessing the prospects for the future.

Maturity assessment of oils from the Sakhalin oil fields in Russia: phenanthrene content as a tool

A correlation analysis of maturation parameters was carried out on 14 crude oil samples from nine oil fields on Sakhalin Island (Russia). The oils were taken from reservoir rocks of Miocene age at depths ranging from 73 to 2841 m. On the basis of GC analysis of the alkane fraction ( n-alkanes and the isoprenoid alkanes pristane and phytane) as well as on the basis of the abundance of demethylated hopanes (GC–MS analysis, m/z 177), it is assumed that the oils are either biodegraded or are a mixture of biodegraded and nonbiodegraded oils. Therefore, their maturation is assessed on the basis of the distribution and abundance of tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are more resistant to biodegradation than alkane-type biological markers. The oils may be classified into three groups on the basis of the well-established maturation parameter MPI 3: highly mature (group I), moderately mature (group II) and immature (group III). The correlation analysis shows that the percentage of phenanthrene [P] in the tricyclic aromatic fraction of the oils of the Sakhalin oil fields can be used as a maturation parameter. The highly mature oils (group I) were found to have a [P] value of more than 14%; the moderately mature oils (group II) have values of 7–14%, and the immature oils (group III) a value of less than 7%. The very good correlation between MPI 3 and [P] also indicates that parallel to methylphenanthrene isomerization, dealkylation also occurs in the reservoir rocks. By correlation analysis it is shown that these reactions are, to a great extent, determined by the depth of the reservoir rocks.

Страницы истории сахалинской нефти

Pages of the History of the Sakhalin Oil Industry Viktor Remizovskij's article is devoted to the history of the oil industry on Sakhalin, from the discovery of oil on the site of Okha in 1878-79 to its development during the first two Five-Year Plans and its almost standstill during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. Detailed information is given on the contribution of Russian, Japanese, and other foreign geologists, the creation of the Soviet-owned trust 'Saxalinneft''in 1928 and its infrastructure, with figures concerning the quantity of extracted oil between 1930 and 1936. The article investigates the history of administrative measures taken to ensure the development of the industry and of its social aspects, such as the Stakhanovite movement. Drawing from archival sources, local newspapers, journals and private documents, the author then focuses on the massive repressions of the personnel of Saxalinneft' in 1936-38, the fate of many directing cadres, specialists, Party members, and industrial workers, and the catastrophic consequences of the purges on the industry itself.

Economical and Environmental Impacts on the Okhotsk Sea Coast of Hokkaido Due to Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development

According to Koblov (1977) and others of the Sakhalin Oil and Gas Research Institute, underground deposits of oil and natural gas in the Russian Far East stretch from the east and west coasts of Sakhalin and the area offshore of Magadan to the west coast of the Kamchatka peninsula and to the Bering Sea. Should an accident involving a spill of crude oil or other effluents occur during the development of the oil and natural gas deposits that is currently under way off the eastern coast of northern Sakhalin, it can be expected to have an impact on the environment and economy of the Hokkaido's Okhotsk Sea and Pacific Ocean coast. This report describes these concerns about the environmental and economical impacts on Hokkaido's coastal areas from problems that may occur from the development of Sakhalin's offshore oil and natural gas.

Oscillatory reactions of sakhalin oil oxidation

After light irradiation of oil films on water surface the autoxidation process has been found to be of nonsteady auto-oscillatory character, which can be observed in rate oscillations of O2 absorption. Also recorded have been intensity oscillations of the EPR signal from the “radical counter” added into an oil sample. Complex dynamics of autoxidation can be due to an autocatalytic process involving the participation of peroxides accumulated in oil during photooxidation.

Dollars without the Flag: The Case of Sinclair and Sakhalin Oil

OCCASIONALLY a single international business transaction acts as a prism through which a ray of diplomatic history may be directed in order to isolate separate components. The contract signed in January 1922 for the exploration and development of oil deposits in the northern part of the island of Sakhalin offers such an opportunity. It reveals the unsoundness of a policy directed toward maintaining equal economic opportunity when unsupported by adequate force. At the same time it illustrates how American refusal to recognize the Soviet Union undermined the balance of power in the Far East during the 1920s. Washington's failure to assist its own advance agent of economic expansion served only to accelerate Japanese military and economic aggression and to increase the threat of open hostility in the Far East. Japanese power in Asia became obvious to the rest of the world during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The Twenty-One demands upon China made under cover of World War I and Japanese actions in 1918-1919 during the joint Japanese-American intervention in Siberia removed any reasonable doubt about Japan's selfassigned role in the power structure of the Far East. The withdrawal from Siberia of American forces, never sufficient in number and without a clear enough purpose to restrain the Japanese, and the monotonous rise and fall of factional combinations which passed for civil government in the Russian Far East combined to offer a fertile field for Japanese expansion. Nor could China offer effective resistance. Consequently, Japanese power on the continent grew apace and, using the Nikolaievsk affair as a pretext, Japan in July 1920 moved troops into the Russian portion of Sakhalin.