New gas deposits found in Turkmenistan
By Fatma Babayeva
Turkmenistan managed to expand gas bearing part of the country's largest gas field Galkynysh based on an exploration work conducted by Geology State Corporation.
The statement was published by the Ministry of Oil and Gas on June 21.
A commercial inflow of the natural gas was obtained from the well No.26 located in the area of Gunorta Yoloten, which allowed expanding the Galkynysh field in the southern direction.
In the meantime, a commercial inflow of the natural gas was also obtained from well no.1 in Bagli field and well No.1 in Giurgiu field, which is also located in the Galkynysh field.
3D seismic survey conducted in the area revealed the larger territory containing the gas reserves. Along with work carried in the eastern part of Turkmenistan (Galkynysh and Yashlar fields), the exploration was also carried out in the southwestern Turkmenistan (Akpatlavuk and Korpeje fields).
The survey enabled to study and develop new deep laying prospects of massive oil and gas reserves, to set up a system of methodical prospecting and exploration work with an objective to to detect the previously identified structures.
Turkmen Geology State Corporation plans to up the number of 3D field seismic surveys, which will increase the quality of geophysical explorations. The data content will be obtained via the application of new geophysical techniques, as well as, modern software for processing and interpreting geological and geophysical data.
Geophysical service possesses modern field seismo, gravitational and exploratory fittings with processing and interpreting complexes which allow implementation of various scientific, exploratory and project-related works in a high level.
The estimated total reserves of the Galkynysh field together with the adjacent Yashlar area amounts to 26.2 trillion cubic meters of gas, according to the results of the independent audit carried out by the British Gaffney, Cline & Associates. If the reserves in newly discovered Garakel field are also added to this figure, the block's reserves would rise to 27.4 trillion cubic meters.
Nine new wells are set to begin production at Galkynysh field by the end of 2016. Turkmenistan plans to add the extracted gas from this field to its exports to China.
Earlier, Turkmengaz signed an agreement with the Chinese national petroleum cooperation - CNPC on providing 65 billion cubic meters of gas annually to China by the end of 2021. Roughly, 35 percent of China’s gas import accounts for the Turkmen gas.
The construction of the gas booster station is underway at Malai gas field which will serve to increasing gas supplies to China as well.
After Russian Gazprom stopped buying Turkmen gas, the country directed this gas to other markets, mainly to China.
Additionally, Turkmenistan commenced the construction of its section of TAPI pipeline recently, which envisages transferring Turkmen gas to Pakistani and Indian markets.
The country plans to enlarge its LNG exports as well. Currently, the country sells LNG to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Georgia, Iran and Tajikistan.
By diversifying its pipeline routes, Turkmenistan gains a better position to negotiate a better price for its natural gas.
Turkmenistan enjoys the world's fourth largest natural gas reserves after Russia, Iran, and Qatar.
Turkmenistan holds 9.4 percent of the world’s total proven natural gas reserves and produced 2 percent (72.4 billion cubic meters) of the world’s total blue fuel output in 2015 which is up by 4.5 percent compared to the country’s production level in 2014, according to the BP statistical review of 2016.
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Fatma Babayeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Fatma_Babayeva
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