"Fulfilling obligations under the license by carrying out 3D seismic surveys by the common depth point [CDP] method, as well as the carrying out a detailed survey of the geological structure of the identified prospective hydrocarbon objects…With the aim of evaluating their oil and gas potential and the later setting up of exploration drilling," Gazprom's documents said.
Surveys in the Kara Sea will take place at the Zapadno-Sharapovsky bloc and will span some 3,320 square kilometers (1,281 square miles). In the Barents Sea, surveys will take place at the Fersmanovsky bloc. Most depths are between 100 and 200 meters in the two blocs, with the Fersmanovsky bloc being deeper. Hydrocarbon deposits are estimated to be at depths between 1,000 to 4,200 meters.
Work will begin once a contract is signed with plans to complete surveys by November 2017. Equipment procurement applications can be submitted until August 9, with the final decision to be taken on August 12.
Gazprom was authorized to explore and develop a number of Arctic gas fields, including the Zapadno-Sharapovsky, Fersmanovsky, Demidovsky, Medvezhy and Ledovoye blocs, in 2013. The deposits are estimated to contain around 1.8 trillion cubic meters of natural gas in total.
