GSRW: Appraisal drilling in Kashagan calls for additional wells and man-made islands

/IRBIS, Jan 24, 01/ - According to the representative of OKIOC Press Service, Aina Zubair, OKIOC is implementing an appraisal drilling programme. The company started drilling of the first appraisal well in the East Kashagan-1 on 12th August 1999. After a successful testing programme, OKIOC notified the Kazakhstan government of the discovery of hydrocarbon deposits. Afterwards, the well was abandoned and the drilling rig was moved to the West Kashagan-1. Drilling of the second appraisal well commenced on 6th October 2000. According to the source, the drilling of the East Kashagan-1 well showed a possibility of a large oil accumulation in the Kashagan field. Today, total and recoverable reserves of the field are not known. The East Kashagan appraisal programme aims at defining a possibility of its commercial development. It is also necessary to determine the quality of the reservoir and of hydrocarbon flows, the maximum production level in the field, the number of wells, and efficient production methods. The appraisal drilling programme provides for drilling of three appraisal wells with Sunkar and the second drilling rig. After careful examination of the drilling plan, an onshore drilling rig installed on a man-made island was chosen. The programme also callsfor drilling of up to five additional appraisal wells, depending on the geology and well drilling results. Drilling sites preparation (for Sunkar and the onshore drilling rig) and the construction of additional berms for the Sunkar drilling rig (similar to berms for appraisal wells constructed previously) will be carried out within the offshore construction programme. Man-made islands will be used as bases for drilling by the onshore drilling rig. These islands can be constructed as new or based on berms already built. Rocks from the Atash open pit, near the village of Bautino, will be used for the construction. The seismic survey programme provides for collection and study of data on the section of Kashagan to be appraised during one or two phases. All members of the seismic group of experts will live and work off shore during the period of seismic data collection, approximately from 1st April to 1st November 2001. Information of The Great Silk Road World News Agency. 7, Gainsford Street, London, SE1 2NE, U.K. TEL/ FAX 44 0171 403 20 37