Geological Exploration in Russia is Effective Even During a Crisis, Gazprom Neft Believes
The work of Russian geological exploration has not stopped – everyone has learned to ensure the continuity of processes, said Masalkin, director of geological exploration of the company
The domestic geological exploration industry is supported by the state, and is itself looking for new technologies and tools to work effectively in the face of a series of crises. Oil companies have found new suppliers and are developing their own competencies, adapting geological tasks to modern requirements. This opinion was expressed to Interfax by the director for geological exploration and development of the resource base of Gazprom Neft, Yuri Masalkin. According to him, Russian geologists are now not afraid of projects of any complexity, nothing in Russian geological exploration has stopped, everyone has learned to ensure the continuity of processes.
Gazprom Neft itself is betting on eastern projects and, in general, is accelerating geological exploration processes in strategic areas.
Commenting on Gazprom Neft’s priorities in geological exploration, Masalkin said that Gazprom Neft is increasing the pace of development of assets in Eastern Siberia. Here the focus is on two large assets – Chona (Yakutia and Irkutsk region) and Omorinsky site (Krasnoyarsk Territory). The geological model of Chona has been updated, and the reactivation of wells has begun. And big discoveries are generally expected at Omorinsky, the agency’s interlocutor added.
In general, Gazprom Neft is accelerating geological exploration of strategic assets: those geological exploration projects that were slowed down during the pandemic have become relevant again. The priorities, of course, are geological exploration in Western Siberia and the Orenburg region, but also the study of new areas in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug is among the strategic tasks, Masalkin said.
