29.08.2011
"Interfax"
Moscow. Oil and Gas Company "RussNeft" (RTS: RUSN) values highly the possibility of discovery of large oil deposits in Mauritania, it says in the corporate newspaper "Time of RussNeft". "We assess the probability of discovery of large oil deposits in the region as very high. If our assumptions are confirmed, we can reach in Mauritania the production capacity comparable to the current production level in the rest subsidiary enterprises of the Company", - said in the interview the Vice-president for geology, development and subsurface management of "RussNeft" Andrey Shegimago.
He noted that at present the Company begins to “closely to the topic” engage in exploration in Mauritania. "I have studied the reconnaissance map of the region (and in June I have visited Mauritania). In the subsurface areas, which are located next to ours, in the shelf areas, there have been recently discovered recoverable reserves of oil and gas. The Company has prepared a program of exploration work, there were commenced tender procedures on selection of the contractors", - he said.
A.Shegimago also considers high the probability of discovery of new oil reservoirs in Azerbaijan, where "RussNeft" has sites on the block "Padar".
It was reported earlier that “RussNeft” plans to start exploratory drilling in Mauritania in 2012. The President of "RussNeft", Mikhail Gutseriev, in 2007 reported that “RussNeft” has got 2 sites in Mauritania. In 2008 "RussNeft" reported about the sale of these sites. Meanwhile, M.Gutseriev said later, having been by that time in London that he has continued work at this project and invested in it about $160 mln.
It is also reported in the corporate newspaper of "RussNeft" that the Company, after a long pause, has drilled ahead in Variogan oil field. Drilling is carried on layer B8/3, which is, according to geologists, is the most productive, with considerable undeveloped reserves. In the beginning of August there started drilling of the major horizontal hole. Its length will make 2536 meters. By the end of the year it’s planned to drill about three new wells in Variogan oil field.
