The Messoyakhskoye field was discovered in the 1980s, but it was impossible to start mining at that time. The level of scientific and technological progress was insufficient, and it was impossible to increase it during the period of perestroika that had begun. In addition, the lack of ways to transport the produced oil at that time was an unsolvable task. There were many questions, but not enough resources to solve them.
Brainstorming
It was clear that there are oil deposits in Messoyakha, their reserves are huge, but it is still unrealistic to develop them. However, despite the fact that active development of the field was not feasible, thousands of scientific minds were occupied with this problem. Almost thirty years later, a solution was found.
The best specialists of the country were given the task of developing natural resources in the conditions of the Arctic. It was necessary to create an autonomously working infrastructure capable of effectively implementing the project. Innovative technologies came to the rescue and were boldly used in this project. Government of the countrytook an active part in its promotion.
Project Messoyakha
This project includes two oil and gas fields: Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye and Zapadno-Messoyakhskoye. It got its name from the river of the same name that crosses this territory. By the way, the latter is the northernmost - on the map, the Messoyakhskoye field is located beyond the Arctic Circle, on the Gydan Peninsula, in the Tazovsky district of the YaNAO, at a distance of 340 kilometers from Novy Urengoy.
Only by 2010 the country was ready to start the fishery. To begin with, the Zapolyarye-Purpe main oil pipeline was built, the object was the largest construction site in Western Siberia.
All solutions of this project are non-standard
The pipeline was laid on land to prevent the impact of a warm pipe on permafrost soils and preserve the temperature properties of the oil. The implementation of the project is complicated by the lack of transport routes; it is possible to get to the field only by winter road or by helicopter, depending on the season. People work in the most difficult conditions of the Far North.
All created infrastructure is autonomous. At the Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye field, wells have been installed using the new feshbon technology, that is, “fish bone”. These are horizontal wells that have many branches. This configuration is due to the specific location of the oil-bearing layers.
It is interesting that the territories where Messoyakhskoye is locatedthe deposit is a nature reserve, and this had to be taken into account when developing the project. You can not disturb the ecosystem, block the deer crossings and so on.
Development of the Arctic by Russia
The Arctic is Gazprom's strategic direction. Photos of the Messoyakha field are impressive. A PSP (acceptance point) was put into operation here, with a capacity of about 6,000,000 tons per year. Two powerful power plants have been built, an oil supply pipeline is operating, the length of which is 98 kilometers. It connects the Messoyakha field with the Arctic - Purpe main line.
It was at the Messoyakhskoye field, as we have already said, that wells were drilled massively using the new "fish bone" technology. This technology for the construction of horizontal wells with a large number of branches can significantly increase the productivity of oil production.
Ecosystem conservation
Geologists at the stage of preparation for the development of the Messoyakha field revealed a special structure of the East Messoyakha reservoirs. They are heterogeneous, complicated by faults, reservoir replacements, and this required a special approach to drilling.
Ecology and nature protection issues have always been in the focus of attention during the development of the deposit, Messoyakha is a nature reserve. Therefore, during the construction of the pipeline, special crossings for animals were created; its route does not affect pastures and places sacred to indigenous people. 44 deer crossings have been preserved. The crossings of the route with the rivers Indikyakha and Muduyakha are made inunderground option to save their riverbed.
For four years, thousands of people have been working in the Far North, bringing closer the day when commercial oil production will begin. It's not just a dot on the map. The Messoyakhskoye field is the achievement of our country, this is its history.
