Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec. 22 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Exploration work in eastern Turkmenistan has confirmed the reserves of another large deposit. Yashlar was estimated by British Gaffney, Cline and Associates as having reserves amounting to 1.5 trillion cubic meters of gas.
Turkmengeologiya said the depth of the newly drilled well was over 5,000 meters.
The gas stream was first obtained in interval depths of 4,850-4,816 meters.
The released information stresses that a strong salt layer characterized by high pressure and a thickness of about 700 meters has long remained an insurmountable obstacle for drilling. Using the latest drilling technologies, backed by accurate scientific calculations, Turkmen specialists overcame this difficult salt area and achieved the planned depth.
Geologists said they managed to completely discover a Callovian-Oxfordian limestone layer. Its thickness is 624 meters. The development survey in the well clearly indicates that an open cast is completely filled with natural gas.
Testing is underway. The free outflow of gas to the surface will be ensured before the complete purification and achievement of gas reservoir high permeability. Future plans include operations to measure gas flow on connecting pipes of various diameters.
Geological exploration work will also be held on structures at Western Yandakly, Yandakly and Elchilik to determine the interrelatedness of large gas fields in South Yoloten-Osman and Yashlar.