5 Jun 2008 07:00
5 June 2008
VOLGA GAS PLC
Operational Update
Volga Gas Plc ("Volga Gas" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an operational update on its activities.
Highlights
Yuzhny-Ershovskoye structure ("Y-E") on Karpenskiy licence area ("KLA") delineated, well location identified
Processing of 3-D seismic on the sub-salt Yuzhny-Mokrousovskoye ("Y-M") structure on the KLA complete
Well VM#2 spudded 29 May 2008
Well VM#1 cased and is undergoing production testing
Construction of Vostochny-Makarovskoye gas processing plant ("GPP") commenced
Interpretation and processing of 3-D seismic data on 2 of 5 supra-salt structures on KLA complete. Drilling programme to commence in H2 2008
Karpenskiy Licence Area
Sub-salt
Yuzhny-Ershovskoye Structure
Schlumberger has completed the processing and interpretation of the 3-D seismic data. The structure has been delineated and the location of the first well identified. Further details are available on the Company's website:
http://volgagas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=7
Yuzhny-Mokrousovsky Structure
Schlumberger has completed processing of the Y-M structure and has started interpretation. It is expected that interpretation will be completed during Q3 2008.
Drilling
Volga Gas is preparing well documentation and has entered in to detailed negotiations for the first well on Y-E now that parameters are known. The Company will provide an update once a contract has been entered in to.
Supra-Salt
Interpretation and processing of 3-D seismic data has been completed over 2 of the 5 structures in the southern block of the KLA. The Company has entered in to a 9 well contract, at least 4 of which are expected to be completed during 2008.
Vostochny-Makarovskoye
On 29 May 2008, Volga Gas spudded well VM#2 at the northern end of the Vostochny-Makarovskoye licence area. The well is being drilled as a production well and is expected to be completed in early Q4 2008. The Company has contracted the BK Eurasia rig for a further well with an option for two more.
Well VM#1 has been cased and is currently being hooked up to the gas processing plant. Initial cased hole testing has yielded commercial rates of gas and condensate and the well will be put on long term production testing in June.
Installation of the gas processing plant has commenced and is running to plan. We anticipate the plant to be capable of selling pipeline standard gas by year end, enabling first revenue to commence as previously announced.
Mikhail Ivanov, Chief Executive of Volga Gas commented:
"With the delineation of the sub-salt Y-E structure complete and the location for the first well identified, the Company is now well-placed to commence drilling operations on this high potential structure. Work on the equally important Y-M structure is progressing well.
"The Vostochny-Makarovskoye development schedule is on track to produce first revenue before year-end. Well VM#2 is essential to enhance our understanding of the Evlano-Livenskiy reservoir. Following the completion of VM#2, we will incorporate the data in to the reservoir model and will subsequently publish updated reserve calculations during 4Q 2008."
- Ends -
Volga Gas is an independent gas exploration and production company, which currently holds four subsoil licenses in the Volga Region of European Russia
For additional information please contact:
| Financial Dynamics | +44 (0)20 7831 3113 | |
| Billy Clegg Alex Beagley | ||
| KBC Peel Hunt (Nominated Adviser) | +44 (0)20 7418 8900 | |
| Jonathan Marren Alina Savych |
The information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and verified by Mr. Mikhail Ivanov, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Volga Gas plc, for the purposes of the Guidance Note for Mining, Oil and Gas companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in March 2006. Mr. Mikhail Ivanov holds a M.S. Degree in Geophysics from Novosibirsk State University. He has also MBA degree from Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University). He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.