For the first time in Russia, a robotic drilling rig has been used for onshore operations at the Chona group of fields. The new technology has accelerated the construction of oil wells by almost a third. The project was implemented by Gazprom Neft as part of launching industrial oil production in Eastern Siberia.
The robotic drilling complex was used for developing hard-to-recover reserves in the Ignyalinskoye, Tympuchikanskoye, and Vakunayskoye areas. All operations were monitored around the clock from the company's digital center in Tyumen.
The Chona group is considered one of the most challenging oil projects in the region. Oil-saturated reservoirs are located in rocks with low temperatures, high salinity, and small thickness. To work with such reserves, specialists created a digital geological and hydrodynamic model of the fields. Based on this model, horizontal wells and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing technologies were selected.
Simultaneously with the launch of drilling, Gazprom Neft commissioned more than 150 infrastructure facilities. The complex included an oil treatment plant, an oil pipeline, a reception and delivery point, and two power plants for internal needs. The treated oil is already flowing into the ESPO pipeline system.
Equipment for the project was supplied in the form of modular block structures with a high degree of factory readiness. This approach allowed for reduced construction times and reduced stress on permafrost soils. All infrastructure of the Chona group was built in two years.
After reaching full capacity, the Chona group will be able to supply up to 2 million tons of oil annually to the ESPO system. The project also expands the use of digital and robotic technologies in Russian oil production.
