First reinjection well commissioned at Gazprom Neft’s Arctic field

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- Gazpromneft Shelf, a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft, has commissioned the first reinjection well at Prirazlomnoye field in the Barents Sea, on which it is leading development. Consistent with the field development plan, this will be used for the re-injection of waste materials produced during well construction.

Injection will take place into strata above the production horizon, ensuring its protection from higher and underlying layers. The absorption well will optimize the recycling of industrial wastes, which will now be utilized directly at the field with no negative environmental impacts.

A “zero emissions” system has been integrated into the platform to prevent the discharge of any production or drilling waste into the sea, with waste, instead, re-injected directly into the strata, or transported onshore for recycling.

Two production wells are currently in operation at the field, together with the injection well. The project envisages the commissioning of a total 32 wells. More than 10 MMbbl of oil have now been produced at Prirazlmnoye field since the start of production.

“The absorption well significantly improves the security, manageability and cost-effectiveness of the project. Making possible the direct recycling of waste directly on the platform, with no impact on the environment, is its main purpose. Added to which, we are reducing costs by transporting waste onshore,” said Gennady Lubin, executive director, Gazpromneft Shelf.