Kazakhstan, Astana, July 24 /Trend D.Mukhtarov /
Kazakh company KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (KMG EP) plans to start trial production at Novobogat SE field at Liman block by the end of 2013, the press service of the company said.
"Trial Production is planned for a period of two years. Based on the results of Trial Production a decision on commercial production will be made. The company expects that during the first and second years of production testing about 13 thousand tons of crude oil and about 19 thousand tons of crude oil will be extracted, respectively," company's report said.
According to KMG EP, the reserves in C1+C2 category are estimated at 1.9 million tons of crude oil (13.9 million barrels of oil equivalent) and 290 million cubic meters of dissolved gas as of April 1, 2012.
Altogether at all exploration blocks the Company plans to drill 22 wells in 2013 (11 exploration and 11 appraisal wells), of which 18 post-salt and four pre-salt wells. Out of 22 wells planned for 2013, currently three wells have reached target depth, and five wells are being drilled.
"Drilling of 14 wells is planned for the second half of 2013. Daily production rate for the Liman exploration block, which was opened in Atyrau region amounted to 24 cubic meters of oil with five millimetre flanged socket," the statement said.
Hydrocarbon deposit is located on the southern slope of Novobogatinsk Salt Dome and is close to Novobogatinsk SE oil field which is being developed by production branch of Embamunaigas - 70 kilometres west from Atyrau.
Such proximity to the regional center and infrastructure facilities will significantly reduce the time and resources needed for the development of the new field.
KMG EP is among the top three oil producers in Kazakhstan.
The production volume of the company, including shares in companies JV Kazgermunai LLP, CCEL (JSC Karazhanbasmunai) and PetroKazakhstan Inc in 2012 amounted to 12.2 million tons (247,000 bpd).
Proved and probable KMG reserves by late 2011 amounted to 226 million tons (1.7 billion bbl). KMG's reserves with the shares in joint ventures amounted to about 2.1 billion barrels.