Ukraine’s largest gas producer unveils new exploration well, boosting energy independence from Russia

Ukraine's largest gas producer, UkrGasVydobuvannya, launched a new exploratory well with a depth of 5,800 m, with a flow rate of 580,000 cubic meters of gas per day.

Rubryka reports, citing the Naftogaz press service.

What is the problem?

Since 2016, Ukraine has refused to buy gas from Russia, so it has been purchasing gas from Europe due to its limited capacity.

Due to Russia's war in Ukraine, many national gas pumps were severely damaged, and some gas distribution stations are located in territories temporarily occupied by Russia.

Although Ukraine has sufficient gas fields, the lack of technology has previously prevented the exploration of deep and promising gas deposits, Naftogaz says.

What is the solution?

Ukraine's state gas producer is now actively developing new wells. The latest 5,800-m-deep exploratory well is one of the most powerful wells launched by UkrGazVydobuvannya in recent years.

How does it work?

According to Naftogaz Group Head Oleksii Chernyshov, the well opened up the prospects of a previously unexplored block in one of the fields in Ukraine's east. The gas resources are estimated at more than 6 billion cubic meters. Now the company is preparing the territory for drilling two more new wells for search and exploration.

The deposit has significant prospects. However, drilling this well may be challenging due to a complex geological structure with deep faults and a block character. The discovered gas deposits are in a high-temperature section with abnormally high reservoir pressures.

"Recently, we conducted modern 3D seismic studies there, which made it possible to design this exploratory well," said Oleh Tolmachev, Acting General Director of UkrGazVydobuvannya. "The well has a complex inclined-directed construction. Its drilling and exploration were a difficult challenge for the team of geologists, drillers, and geophysicists, which they successfully overcame. Next, we will continue to work on revealing the potential of this block." 

Ukraine's largest producer drilled an exploratory well with the highest production rates among the wells put into operation in the last 2.5 years.