VChNG to bring peak output of 7.5 mln tonnes at Verkhnechonskoye field in 2014, four years earlier than planned
IRKUTSK. Aug 18 (Interfax) - OJSC Verkhnechonskneftegaz (VChNG) will bring peak output of7.5 million tonnes at the Verkhnechonskoye field (Irkutsk Region) in 2014, which is four years earlier than planned, the company's general director, Igor Rustamov, told journalists on Thursday.
Upon reaching its peak production, VchNG plans to keep output at this level until 2020-2021. "This plateau (plus or minus 20%) will continue to 2020-21," he said.
Rustamov said that, several weeks ago, a new technological plan for developing the Verkhnechonskoye field had been confirmed, which factors in the sped-up rate of development. "A year ago, the company adopted a course for speeding up the field's development. We have brought in an additional drilling unit. More wells have been drilled," he said.
He added that the company plans to boost oil production this year from the earlier planned figure of 4.6 million tonnes to 4.9 million tonnes. Production in 2012 will increase from a planned 4.5 million to 6.5 million tonnes.
Verkhnechonskneftegaz is engaged in the exploration and development of the Verkhnechonskoye oil and gas condensate field. That is one of the largest in Eastern Siberia, and is located in the Katangsky district of Irkutsk region. Recoverable resources of C1+C2 oil and condensate are estimated at 201 million tonnes of oil and 3.36 million tonnes of condensate, and there are 95.5 billion cubic meters of in-place natural gas reserves.
The shareholders in VChNG are OJSC TNK-BP Holding with 74% and Rosneft with 25.94%.
