The Taz District of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area hosted today the celebrations dedicated to bringing the Zapolyarnoye field to its full design capacity, i.e. 130 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

The celebrations were attended by Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the Russian Federation Government, Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Dmitry Kobylkin, Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area.

In 2012 the capacities for gas production from the Cenomanian deposits of the Zapolyarnoye field were increased. Today the field was brought to its design capacity upon commissioning of the second comprehensive gas treatment unit (CGTU-1V) for the Valanginian deposits and the third compressor workshop at the Zapolyarnaya main compressor station (MCS) of the Zapolyarnoye – Urengoy gas trunkline. As a result, Zapolyarnoye became the most productive gas field in Russia.

While implementing the gas production strategy, not only does Gazprom enter new gas-bearing regions, but improves the efficiency of developing the existing fields in the traditional Nadym-Pur-Taz region. It becomes possible due to the application of cutting-edge engineering solutions and advanced fail-safe equipment designed for severe natural and climatic conditions. For instance, directional drilling with subhorizontal borehole, a telemechanic system enabling to control well operation online, as well as advanced techniques for monitoring the field development process are applied at the Zapolyarnoye field.

The Zapolyarnaya MCS is one of the most productive in Russia, with the capacity reaching 354 MW. High-technology gas compressor units (GCU) with centrifugal superchargers based on rotor magnet suspension are installed at the station. All slave devices are provided with a remote control and a self-diagnostics system. Advanced engineering design makes it possible to considerably reduce the time necessary for GCUs maintenance. While featuring high capacity, GCUs are environmentally friendly with the lowest nitrogen and carbon oxide emissions.

“Gazprom has been and remains the number one company in the global gas production. But possessing gigantic gas reserves is not enough for it. It is necessary to put steady efforts into the development of gas production facilities. And we successfully meet this challenge.

In 2012 we conquered Yamal by starting production from the Bovanenkovo field. Large fields in Eastern Russia and the continental shelf are next in turn.

We continue developing resources in the Nadym-Pur-Taz region, which is primary for us, where the Zapolyarnoye field takes up a special place. Last December the first trillion cubic meters of gas was produced from this field. Today, Zapolyarnoye has become the most productive field in the country. From now on, every fifth cubic meter of Russian gas will be produced here, from the Zapolyarnoye field. It is comparable to the gas volumes that we supplied during the last four years to Germany – our major buyer in Europe.

Our everyday commitment makes consumers confident about reliable gas supplies for the decades to come,” said Alexey Miller.

Background

The Zapolyarnoye oil, gas and condensate field is one of the largest in the world. Its initial reserves account for more than 3.5 trillion cubic meters of gas, some 80 million tons of gas condensate and oil. Raw hydrocarbons are produced by five comprehensive gas treatment units – three Cenomanian and two Valanginian. Commercial production from the field was launched in 2001 with the development of the Cenomanian deposit. In 2004 the field capacity reached 100 billion cubic meters. Gas production from the deeper Valanginian deposits started in 2011.

Gas from the Zapolyarnoye field is conveyed via the Zapolyarnoye – Urengoy gas trunkline system (GTS) which is nearly 190 kilometers long. The GTS includes four gas pipeline strings with a diameter of 1,420 millimeters, three shops at the Zapolyarnaya MCS, four shops at the Purtazovskaya CS and one shop at the Novo-Urengoyskaya MCS. The aggregate capacity of the installed GCUs equals 834 MW.

Gazprom Dobycha Yamburg is the field operator. Gazprom Transgaz Surgut deals with gas and condensate transportation from Zapolyarnoye.