Interfax reported that Tomskneft VNK produced 11.385 million tonnes of oil in 2008, 1.9% less than the 11.6 million tonnes produced in 2007. Gas production rose to 2.117 billion cubic meters of gas, 41% more than the 1.5 billion cubic meters produced in 2007.

The company completed 104 production wells last year, drilling a total of 336,700 meters. Wells were added at the Krapivinskoye, Tagaiskoye, Igolsko Talovoye, Dvyrechenskoye, Yuzhno Cheremshanskoye, Zapadno Moiseyevskoye and Pervomaiskoye fields. At the Vakhskoye, Severnoye and Prigranichnoye fields, drilling was conducted by mobile rigs that added infill wells.

The company also conducted geological exploration, seismic surveying, research and other work, adding 28.4 million tonnes to reserves.

A company spokesman said that "The reserve increase in all company areas was almost double production."

Exploration drilling totaled 7,041 meters, substantially above target of 5,400 meters. Three exploration wells were completed, at the Yuzhno Cheremshanskoye, Zapadno Ostaninskoye and Chkalovskoye fields. A priority for the investment program was acquisition of new technology and equipment. The company took delivery on 117 pieces of equipment, or 138,300 tonnes, 12.6% more than target. Construction and reconstruction was performed at 184 locations.

Tomskneft VNK owns 24 licenses to oil and gas production, including 17 in Tomsk region and seven in Khanty Mansii autonomous district. The company also has nine licenses geologically study blocks and is developing four other sections as an agent for other license holders.

(Sourced from Interfax)