Kamennoe field

The Kamennoe field is part of the Krasnoleninsk group of fields in the west of Khanti—Mansiysk Autonomous District. Reserves in place are currently estimated at around 1.1 billion tons, of which over 290 million tons are recoverable.

Initial attempts to develop this “new Samotlor” began back in the 1970s, when the first 100 appraisal wells were drilled. Until early 2000, the field was considered sub-commercial due to its complicated geological structure, low productivity and remoteness from infrastructure. The Kamennoe field has an extremely complicated reservoir structure and low porosity, which reduces the efficiency of hydrofrac operations and horizontal drilling.

Another aspect of the field is the fact that its northern section is in the environmentally sensitive area of Verkhnee Dvuobye, which is covered by the Ramsar agreements. TNK-BP is working with environmental organizations to minimize the environmental impact of its operations.

TNK-BP began developing Kamennoe in 2003, and between 2004 and 2008 invested over $600 million in the project. In 2008, the field produced 1.3 million tons, and by 2012 aggregate production from both the southern and northern sections is expected to reach 4 million tpa. However this complex project comprises only 15% of recoverable oil reserves under current economic conditions. In the meantime, studies and pilot production work will continue across 85% of the field area in order to tap the resources in its most complex segments.

Kamennoe is being developed using the “field of the future” concept, based on total automation of production processes. This reduces the requirement for operating staff and thereby cuts operating costs. All clusters, construction sites and surface facilities are fitted with wireless-access remote-control and adjustment systems, as well as an accident-protection system. Application of the “field of the future” concept has helped to cut unit lifting costs by half, while a sustained effort to make use of sub-commercial wells has reduced the idle well stock from 45% to 10% of the total.

One substantial achievement that has improved the economics of the Kamennoe project was the drilling efficiency program (drilling operations account for over half of the development spend on the Kamennoe licence block). In the space of two years (2006—2008), increased drilling speeds have slashed the time spent drilling 1000 m from 7 to 5 days.

All the required field infrastructure is now in place. Construction of a gas-turbine power station is scheduled for completion in 2011.

Oil production from the Kamennoe field in 2009 will be 1.8 million tons, which is 40% up on last year. This increase will largely come from production startup in the northern section of the field, where over 100 wells are to be drilled. Planned investment in the Kamennoe field is $250 million.