24 Jan 2020 12:52

Russian oil cos increase exploration drilling 6.4%, reduce production drilling 1.2% in 2019

MOSCOW. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Russian oil companies drilled 1.135 million meters of exploration wells in 2019, 6.4% more than in the previous year, but reduced production drilling by 1.2% to 27.298 million meters, data from the Central Dispatching Department of the Fuel and Energy Complex (CDU TEK) show.

Surgutneftegas increased exploration drilling by 13.1% to 239,200 meters in 2019, and production drilling by 2.1% to 4.948 million meters.

Lukoil reduced exploration drilling by 3.4% to 186,400 meters, but increased production drilling by 15% to 3.441 million meters.

Rosneft reduced exploration and production drilling by 23.2% and 17.2%, respectively, to 207,400 meters and 9.562 million meters.

Bashneft drilled 47,600 meters of exploration wells and 455,600 meters of production wells in 2019, respectively 0.8% less and 7% more than in 2018. CDU TEK still counts Bashneft separately, although Rosneft acquired the company in 2016.

Gazprom Neft increased exploration drilling by 15% to 121,800 meters and production drilling by 23.7% to 2.492 million meters in 2019.