Shell's drilling of the Biliayivska-400 well (the village of Vesele, Pervomaisk district, Kharkiv Oblast) is not having a negative impact on the environment, the company's press service in Kharkiv and Donetsk Oblasts has reported, referring to the results of a study of environmental indicators.
“All of the studied parameters comply with the state sanitary rules and norms of Ukraine,” the press service said.
The statement notes that the company monitored key environmental indicators: the quality of the air, water resources, soil conditions and the level of noise and vibration. Measurements and sampling were carried out by experts from Kharkiv Regional Laboratory Center of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and the certified laboratory of the Ukrainian Research Institute for the Development and Introduction of Municipal Programs and Projects (Kharkiv).
The monitoring plan was coordinated and is monitored by the State Department of Environmental Protection and the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service.
As reported, the drilling of the first Biliayivska-400 well was launched in October 2012 as part of an agreement on joint activities between Shell and Ukrgazvydobuvannia.
The agreement foresees the prospecting and exploration for, and production of hydrocarbons in licensed areas with a total area of about 1,300 square kilometers in Kharkiv Oblast. Shell and Ukrgazvydobuvannia each have a 50 percent stake in the project. Shell is the operator of joint activities under the agreement.
The initial stage of exploration work foresees the drilling of two or three exploratory wells over several years.
Shell’s costs on joint activities during the initial stage of exploration could reach $200 million.
