Exploration works in Belarus are carried out by the Department of Oil and Gas Geological Exploration Works, the Department for Field Seismic Exploration Works (DFSEW), Svetlogorsk Drilling Operations Department (SDOD) and Belarus Oil Research and Design Institute (BelNIPIneft).
Resource base
At the beginning of 2011 there have been discovered 74 oil fields. The initial potential of recoverable oil resources in Belarus comprises 350.203 conventional units (cu/s) including 295.878 cu/s (84.5%) of the northern structural zone of the Pripyat downfold. The overall scope of the exploration with regard to the resources in the Pripyat downfold constitutes 51.1 % and 60.1 % in its northern area. The scope of total oil resources development constitutes 34.8 % and in the northern area – 41.1 %. The residual recoverable oil reserves make 56.849 cu/s, active reserves – 31.295 cu/s. The unexplored oil resources and reserves of the Pripyat downfold make 167.579 cu/s.
Provision of works
To ensure efficient integration of traditional methods and approaches in prospecting, probing and development of oil fields with modern computer technologies the Enterprise employs a powerful computer complex designed for integral processing of geological and geophysical data and covering the whole complex of works – from processing seismic prospecting data to simulation of oil field development. 
Oil exploration activities:
– processing and interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic prospecting survey data, including regions with complex seismic conditions;
– processing and interpretation of VSP survey data;
– geologic and geophysical accompaniment of drilling;
– mapping of various parameters and scales (depth, DÍ, DÒ and seismic parameters);
– processing and interpretation of well geophysical studies results obtained by domestic and foreign well-logging equipment;
– regional and local evaluation of prospects of the sedimentary cover oil-and-gas content and crystalline basement including numerical forecast of commercial local exploratory prospects oil-and-gas content using know-how methods;
– 3D geologic simulation of oil-and-gas fields;
– calculation of oil and gas reserves;
– round-the-clock geological accompaniment of drilling in real-time mode;
– creation of geological, geophysical and commercial data bases.
Seismic surveying
Seismic survey works at “Belorusneft” are carried out by the Department for Field Seismic Exploration Works (DFSEW). Its professionals successfully work in Belarus, countries of Asia, Europe and South America.
Types of DFSEW activities
Design of 2D and 3D seismic prospecting works is performed using modern hardware complexes with the latest versions of Mesa software. Special attention is given to the creation of object digital models. While designing projects of 3D surveys the methodologies, which allow obtaining high tracing ratio of target horizons and the broadest spectra of azimuths and offsets combined with high process efficiency and productivity, are implemented.
GPS Pro XR satellite navigation systems are used for survey support of seismic prospecting works.
2D and 3D field seismic survey works are carried out with explosive and non-explosive seismic generators together with reliable seismic signals navigation of reception and excitation points and the continuous multistage quality control of the received information. DFSEW has SN388 and 428XL telemetering complexes with the field equipment for 3000 seismic channels including 600 three-component DSU-3 receivers. The accuracy of survey navigation is guaranteed by the use of GPS systems during production both in real time mode and during post-processing.
Well shots are used as a signal source. Shothole drilling is carried out using URB-2À-2 and URB-4Ò stations. Pelton synchronizing systems equipped with GPS systems are used to detonate explosion shells.
Studies carried out by means of VSP (vertical seismic profiling) method are conducted in prospecting and commercial wells.
The multistage Quality Control System includes control of design, seismic prospecting works realized in the form of permanent the equipment technical condition supervision.
Production Association “Belorusneft” offers:
– joint execution of seismic works with equipment and key staff provision;
– complex of topographical and geodesic services;
– provision of the Quality Control System for the field seismic works of a customer;
– supervision;
– processing and interpretation of field seismic exploration operations.
