Sakhalin-1 sets new extended reach drilling record, Rosneft says

MOSCOW, Russia -- Rosneft, as part of the Sakhalin-1 consortium, has finished drilling the world’s longest well—production well O-14—at Chayvo field, offshore Sakhalin Island.

Well O-14 was drilled from the Orlan drilling platform towards the south-eastern point of Chayvo field, which lies to the northeast of Russia's Sakhalin Island. 

The well has a record breaking measured depth of 13,500 m and a horizontal reach of 12,033 m, Rosneft said in a statement on Tuesday.

Since the beginning of the drilling program in 2003, Sakhalin-1 has set several world records for extended reach drilling. With this new well, the Sakhalin-1 consortium holds drilling records for 9 of the world's 10 longest wells.

In 2013, two consecutive world records for measured depth were set as part of the Sakhalin-1 project. In April of that year, the Z-43 well reached a measured depth of 12,450 m, and in June the Z-42 well achieved a measured depth of 12,700 m and a horizontal reach of 11,739 m.

In April 2014, the drilling team drilled and completed the Z-40 well; this well set a new record with a measured depth of 13,000 m and a horizontal reach of 12,130 m.

According to Rosneft, Sakhalin-1 extended reach drilling is among the fastest due to the use of Exxon Mobil’s proprietary Fast Drill process. 

“This well continues the successful implementation of our outstanding project. I would like to express my thanks to our partners, Exxon Mobil. Usage of their drilling technologies made this achievement possible,” Igor Sechin, Rosneft's CEO, said.

The Sakhalin-1 project includes the development of three offshore fields: Chayvo, Odoptu and Arkutun-Dagi.

The Sakhalin-1 consortium is composed of Rosneft (20%), Exxon Mobil (30%), SODECO (30%) and ONGC Videsh (20%).