Achim Development discovering new horizons
Achim Development is Wintershall Dea’s latest project in Siberia and will raise its gas production in Russia to a new level.
Achim Development is the latest joint venture between Wintershall Dea and Gazprom in Siberia. The project company will develop blocks 4A and 5A in the Achimov Formation of the Urengoy field, enabling Wintershall Dea to take gas and condensate production in Russia to a new level. The company has a 25 per cent stake, the rest is held by Gazprom. Achim Development is Wintershall Dea’s first project in Russia that is located north of the Arctic Circle.
Achimgaz was commissioned as general contractor for the first development phase. Achimgaz, a joint venture between Gazprom and Wintershall Dea, has been producing natural gas and condensate from Block 1A in the Urengoy field since 2011 and can therefore contribute extensive experience and know-how to the work at the Arctic Circle.
The Achim Development project company is managing the first project phase, planning the further field development and setting up the operational organisation. 110 employees had already started work at Achim Development by the end of 2018.
Contracts worth almost two billion euros were awarded for the first development phase: among other things, two gas treatment plants, two residential complexes, 96 kilometres of access roads, 141 kilometres of power lines, a gas pipeline and a condensate pipeline will be built. In this phase, 40 production wells are planned, while a further 108 wells are scheduled for the second development phase. In the third phase, the compressor stations will then be installed to ensure production. The first wells are expected to be operational by the end of 2020 and the first significant production volumes are planned for 2021.
We’re on schedule with the project delivery. This has also been made possible thanks to the extensive know-how and commitment of Achimgaz, which is the general contractor for the first project phase.
Nature in Siberia is not only very rough, but also very sensitive. Because the ground thaws in summer and becomes loose and swampy, construction work can be carried out only during the winter period, which lasts from September to May. In order to start construction work without damaging the sensitive ground, huge sand cushions must be initially heaped up.
