Incorporation of western drilling equipment with russian drilling operations, case history of Ardalin Field operations, Timan Pechora Basin, Russia

Polar Lights Company (PLC) is a 50/50 joint venture (JV) formed by Conoco and Arkhangelskgeologia (a Russian Geophysical Association, aka AG) to exploit reserves in the Timan Pechora Basin. The first field to be developed under this JV was the Ardalin field. The equipment of three Uralmash 3-D-86 rigs was supplemented with western components, materials and services to successfully drill the wells in the Ardalin field. This paper identifies the major Russian and western rig equipment merged on the rig and the Russian and western materials and services used during the drilling operations.