The Eastern Turkmenistan multi-layer deposits development and the disadvantages of their accelerated commissioning into pilot operation

The economic development of the gas industry of the Eastern Turkmenistan is conditioned by the passage of the Central Asia – Centre gas pipeline near the fields, location of productive formations at depths of 1 265-4 500 m, ease of well drilling, abundance of gas reserves and low content of heavy hydrocarbons and corrosive gases. Many fields, such as A, B, C, G and E, have been brought into pilot production (PP) using accelerated methods, which ensured early production of 141.46 billion m³ of gas. The simultaneous separate operation (SSO) method on 111 out of 218 wells recovered an additional 86.7 billion m³ of gas, reducing drilling requirements by 108 wells (35.3% of total production). However, accelerated commissioning has revealed drawbacks: difficult access to the lower reservoir due to packers, difficulties with pressure and temperature measurement, and inefficiency of cement slurry for aquifer isolation. Water inflow into gas deposits is a natural phenomenon that leads to well watering, especially in zones of high gas-water contact. Actual gas production (up to 1 700 thousand m³/day versus the designed 800-820 thousand m³/day) exceeds the estimated volumes, which requires optimisation of well designs and redesign of projects. New methods have been developed to improve data accuracy and search for alternative materials for sealing. The presence of carbon dioxide and the absence of hydrogen sulphide in most fields simplify operation, but require the use of corrosion inhibitors. The article highlights the need for improved technology to sustainably develop multi-well fields, minimise water cut and improve the efficiency of the RPE. Analysis of production and well commissioning dynamics shows a significant excess of actual volumes over planned ones, which emphasises the importance of adapting projects to real conditions.