Gazprom Neft subsidiary JSC Gazpromneft-Noyabrskneftegaz was confirmed as winning the licensing round. The Federal Agency for Mineral Resources estimates C1 reserves at the block at 991,000 tonnes as at January 2014, and C2 reserves at 239,000 tonnes. Consistent with official estimates as at 1 January 2009, recoverable D1 reserves within the Novochatylkinsky block are forecast at 200,000 tonnes of oil, 0.47 billion cubic metres of gas, and 100,000 tonnes of condensate.

Two exploratory and three prospecting wells have been drilled within the block, running to a total length of 14,830 metres. Exploration maturity at the block currently stands at 0.079 wells per square kilometre, and 233.90 metres per square kilometre. The total area of the block is 63.40 square kilometres.

Alexei Vashkevich, Head of Geological Exploration and Resource Base Development, Gazprom Neft, commented: “Acquiring subsoil usage rights to the Novochatylkinsky block continues the implementation of our strategy in developing our resource base in the Noyabrsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. In securing the Chatylkinsky concession, acquired at auction in 2004, Gazprom Neft has also gained the opportunity to work throughout the entire Chatylkinsky oilfield.”