Total crude oil production by
LUKOIL Group in 2008 (including share of production by equity affiliates) was
95.240 million tonnes (1.921 million barrels per day), which is 1.5% less than
in 2007.
The
Company continued work to improve field development efficiency and reduce
development costs through implementation of its Complex program for optimization
of development and oil production in 2006–2008. LUKOIL production companies
implemented a range of measures to achieve crude oil production targets for 2008
as part of the Program, increasing well productivity and oil recovery rates.
Development costs during the year were $7.288 billion.
Russia
Crude
oil production by LUKOIL Group in Russia in 2008 was 89.945 million
tonnes, of which 89.646 million tones were produced by subsidiaries. Russian
production was down by 1.3% compared with 2007.
Subsidiaries
and equity affiliates of LUKOIL produced hydrocarbons at 343 fields in
Russia
during 2008. Production
drilling was 2.981 million meters, which is 12.9% more than in 2007. The number
of production wells at the end of 2008 was 28,100, of which 23,960 were actually
in use. A total of 1,183 new wells were commissioned
during 2008.
International
Projects
LUKOIL’s
share of production in international projects was 5.295 million tonnes, which is
4.5% less than in 2007. The reduction in production volumes was due mainly to
sale in 2007 of a 50% stake in Caspian Investments Resources Ltd. However, there
was the most significant production growth at the Tengiz project in
Kazakhstan and the Shakh
Deniz project in Azerbaijan,
as well as at projects in Uzbekistan.
Production
drilling in the Company’s international projects was 591,000 meters, which
is 81% more than in 2007. Such high growth of production drilling is explained
by rapid field development as part of projects involving Caspian Investments
Resources Ltd., as well as Kumkol and Meleiha. The number of oil production
wells was 1,320, of which 1,148 were actually in use. A total of 327 new
production wells were commissioned as part of international projects, in which
the Company is a participant. Average daily oil flow from these wells was 72.2
tonnes.
The
greatest crude production growth was from the Tengiz project in
Kazakhstan
. Crude production from the
project (Company share) grew by 24% to 466,000 tonnes. Significant growth in
production was due to capacity expansion: the number of production wells was
increased from 74 to 95
in the course of the
year.