MOSCOW - Gazprom Neft believes its joint shale oil project with Shell is the most promising at the Bazhenov formation in Western Siberia.Our geologists say that this might be the most promising block in the Bazhenov Suite of Western Siberia. Gazprom Neft specialists visited the United States to look at Shell's work at similar formations. For now we are planning to drill wells at our project and only then decide on its future," the Russian oil company's head of strategic planning, Sergei Vakulenko said in a conference call.
It was reported earlier Gazprom Neft’s board of directors has
discussed the prospects for producing shale oil, experience with which
the company will acquire in the development of the Bazhenov formation at
the Upper Salym oil field being developed by Salym Petroleum
Development (SPD), its joint venture with Shell. Gazprom Neft, Shell and
SPD have drawn up a road map setting out the stages for commercial
development of the Bazhenov formation.
Vakulenko also said that Gazprom Neft does not see any problems in the operations of joint ventures with TNK-BP and Rosneft.
Asked about Gazprom Neft’s plans for Slavneft, which it owns equally
with TNK-BP, in light of Rosneft’s acquisition of TNK-BP, Vakulenko
said: “The deal to buy TNK-BP has not yet been closed by Rosneft, and
it’s premature to talk about anything. Slavneft has proven itself as a
well operating joint venture, we plan to continue working here as we
have done. We work with Rosneft at Tomskneft. We don’t see problems in
the work of joint ventures with either TNK-BP or Rosneft.”
