28 Sep 2009 15:36

Exploration drilling declines 60% in Yamalo-Nenets in 8 mths

SALEKHARD. Sept 28 (Interfax) - Exploration drilling for hydrocarbons in Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district declined by 60% in January-August year-on-year to 80,307 meters, the district's natural resources regulation and oil and gas development administration told Interfax.

Geological exploration drilling is targeted at 125,695 running meters this year, less than half the total in 2008.

Seismic work will also be lower: to 10,778 running kilometers of 2D and 8,262 square kilometers of 3D.

In the first eight months of the year 3D seismic totaling 6,363 square kilometers was conducted, 10% less year-on-year, although the amount of 2D seismic totaled 10,466 running kilometers, 21% more.