MOSCOW, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom Neft plans to start commercial oil production at its Iraqi's Badraoilfield in spring with a view to reach an average output of15,000 barrels per day this year, a company official said onWednesday.
Vadim Yakovlev, a first deputy chief executive of GazpromNeft, the oil arm of Russia's top gas producer Gazprom, also told reporters that its joint venture with Shell secured licences to start exploration athard-to-recover three Bazhenov formation fields in the WestSiberian region of Khanty Mansiisk this year.
He also said that the company plans to sell its oil fromPrirazlomnoye, Russia's first Arctic offshore oil deposit,likely at a discount to Urals and Brent benchmark blends due tohigher content of sulphur and viscosity comparing to them.