Mature Oil Fields Drive New Discoveries
Experience from Yugra, which accounts for about 40% of Russia’s total oil production thanks to mature fields, is proving scalable. Slavneft-Megionneftegaz is not only successfully replenishing its resource base but also digitising core processes.
Mature Fields as a Source of Abundance
If hard-to-recover reserves accounted for around 15% of the company’s portfolio in 2022, that share has now reached 27% and, according to reliable estimates, will exceed 40% by 2030. At the same time, the company continues to identify new pools within already developed acreage, including at the Lugovoye field. A strong emphasis is placed on digitalisation, AI-driven solutions, reservoir modelling, and drilling optimisation.
In December, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia’s most oil-rich region, marked its 95th anniversary. Its core industry took shape in the 1960s. The iconic Megion field remains in operation, along with other assets developed during the early years of resource exploitation. Earlier this year, a new water-free oil accumulation was discovered there. A well currently producing 400 tonnes per day is in operation, significantly exceeding average output levels.
Megionneftegaz has booked reserves of 740 million tonnes, sufficient to support stable production for decades. The company is systematically re-evaluating mature assets using modern technologies. AI and advanced tools are used to reprocess seismic data acquired over different periods. Additional seismic surveys and geophysical studies are conducted where required. The guiding principle is to replenish reserves at least in line with production volumes.
Another example of maturity-driven success is the Pokamasovskoye field, where a reservoir with recoverable reserves exceeding 20 million tonnes was discovered. Previously considered non-commercial due to its location in a water-saturated formation, the field has yielded multiple high-performing wells following exploratory drilling and detailed appraisal.
While geological complexity continues to increase, the company benefits from long-standing expertise in hard-to-recover reserves. Active development of the Pre-Jurassic complex is under way at both mature and new fields. Recently, the first production well targeting Paleozoic formations – oil formed 250–500 million years ago – was brought online.
Governance and Regulatory Alignment
Effective development of hard-to-recover reserves requires close coordination between industry and government. Regulatory support, including targeted incentives for lower-productivity and higher-cost reserves, plays a critical role. Adjustments in policy frameworks can render previously marginal resources economically viable.
From an operational standpoint, the company applies a ‘technical limit’ approach. Well construction planning and execution are managed through detailed pre-calculation of loads and operating speeds for each stage. Progress is monitored in real time, and corrective actions are introduced immediately if deviations occur.
A Stronghold of Digitalisation
The company continues to invest in modernising its drilling fleet. Rigs are equipped with top-drive systems and integrated Digital Drilling modules. These hardware-software complexes automate operations that were previously performed manually.
Following several transformation phases, Slavneft-Megionneftegaz now operates using integrated digital twins of its fields, covering the entire production chain. These models enable faster and more flexible decision-making across multiple parameters. When external conditions change, development concepts and drilling programmes can be rapidly reconfigured.
Looking ahead, the company plans to further enhance both production and management processes. Digital Drilling version 3.0 is already being piloted at the Zapadno-Ust-Balykskoye field. The system operates with minimal human involvement, with full remote control from a central hub. Efficiency gains are approaching 25%.
Across Russia, the share of hard-to-recover oil reserves continues to rise. Their integration into production processes offers substantial long-term potential, although many operators still lack the required technologies. This makes the experience of early adopters especially valuable to the wider industry.
