Achim Development, a joint venture of Gazprom and Wintershall Dea, started gas and gas condensate production from Block 5А in the Achimov formations of the Urengoyskoye field within the framework of comprehensive testing (hot commissioning) of the project equipment.
Earlier in January 2021, hydrocarbon production began at Block 4А in the Achimov formations of the Urengoyskoye field.
Currently, both blocks – 4А and 5А – are in the phase of comprehensive testing, and gas is being fed into Gazprom’s gas transmission system.
The pre-development of the blocks is performed under harsh natural and climatic conditions and in complex geological structures. The hydrocarbons lie at a depth of about 4,000 meters with abnormally high formation pressures (up to 62 MPa).
Upon the completion of the comprehensive testing, production will be gradually ramped up to reach its design capacity by 2027. The production will amount to over 14 billion cubic meters of natural gas and over 5 million tons of gas condensate.
About Gazprom
Gazprom is a global energy company focused on geological exploration, production, transportation, storage, processing and sales of gas, gas condensate and oil, sales of gas as a vehicle fuel, as well as generation and marketing of heat and electric power.
Gazprom is a reliable supplier of gas to Russian and foreign consumers. The Company owns the world’s largest gas transmission system, the total length of which within the boundaries of Russia reaches 175.2 thousand kilometers. Gazprom sells more than half of its gas to Russian consumers and exports gas to over 30 countries within and beyond the former Soviet Union.
About Wintershall
Wintershall Holding GmbH, based in Kassel, Germany, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BASF in Ludwigshafen. The company has been active in the extraction of natural resources for 125 years, and in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas for over 85 years. Wintershall focuses on selected core regions where the company has built up a high level of regional and technological expertise. These are Europe, Russia, North Africa, South America, and increasingly the Middle East region. The company wants to expand its business further with exploration and production, selected partnerships, innovation and technological competence. Wintershall employs about 2.000 staff worldwide from 50 nations and is now Germany’s largest, internationally active crude oil and natural gas producer.
At the end of September 2018, BASF and LetterOne signed a binding agreement to merge their respective oil and gas companies, Wintershall and DEA (Deutsche Erdöl AG). Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019. Wintershall DEA would become the leading independent oil and gas producer in Europe. BASF and LetterOne are planning an initial public offering (IPO) for Wintershall DEA in the medium term.
About Achim Development
Achim Development was established with the purpose of pre-development and development of Blocks 4A and 5A in the Achimov formations of the Urengoyskoye oil, gas and condensate field. The production activities of the company are focused on natural gas and unstable gas condensate production.
In 2015, Gazprom and BASF/Wintershall closed the asset swap deal. As a result, Wintershall obtained 25.01 per cent in the project for developing and exploring Blocks 4A and 5A in the Achimov formations of the Urengoyskoye field.