Nord Imperial’s blocks were acquired at Government auctions in November 2004 and March 2005. Nord Imperial has three blocks: Block 77 of over 1000 sq km, which is adjacent to the southern part of Imperial’s Sibinterneft Block 74, Block 69, of over 2,700 sq km, which borders the northern part of Allianceneftegaz Blocks 70 and 85 and most recently acquired Block 80 of over 3,800 sq km, located on the east side of Ob river.

Block 69

Fields: Festivalnoye, Central Festivalnoye and North Festivalnoye fields are located within Block 69. These fields were discovered by Soviet exploration activity between 1988 and 1992. The principal targets in these fields are Paleozoic carbonates, Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sandstones at depths ranging from 2,500 to 3,500m. During 2004-2005 Imperial drilled and tested North Festivalnoye-3 appraisal well and re-entered two deep wells on Festivalnoye and North Festivalnoye fields. During the winter season 2005-2006 two more wells were drilled on Festivalnoye field completing a further already existing well which had been re-entered. Major production and appraisal drilling is planned for the Festivalnoye field in 2008.

Prospects: Between 1968-1992 a total of 15 exploration wells were drilled in Block 69. Rechnaya, Ugolnaya and Elle-Kagalskaya prospects are located in the central and northern areas of Block 69. These exploration wells recovered cores with oil shows from the Lower Cretaceous Kulomzin and Kiyalin sandstones, Jurassic Vasyugan and Tyumen sandstones and Paleozoic limestones. Well test data from these prospects are promising but ambiguous due to overbalanced drilling and poor completion. These prospects therefore remain to be explored by Imperial.

Block 77

Fields: Snezhnoye and Dvoinoye fields are located within Block 77. In total nine exploration wells were drilled between 1967 and 1984. Upper Jurassic Vasyugan sands at a depth of 2,400 to 2,500m are the main oil bearing reservoirs. All wells have been tested and demonstrated commercial oil flow from the Vasyugan reservoir and one well tested oil from Lower Cretaceous Neocomian sands. Significant development work has been carried out at the Snezhnoye filed in 2007 with 21 wells drilled and 2 in the process of drilling. A total of 14 wells are currently in production and major production and appraisal drilling is planned for 2008 on this field. Dvoinoye field comprises one well to date which is currently producing.

Prospects: Based on seismic data interpretation, Chizhapskaya and Dvoinaya-NW prospects have been defined in the north west of Block 77. Productive intervals are expected to be Upper Jurassic Vasyugan and Lower Cretaceous reservoirs at a depth of 2,300 to 2,600m. To date, no wells have been drilled on Chizhapskaya, and only a single well on the flank of Dvoinoye NW. These prospects therefore remain to be explored by Imperial.

Block 80

Fields: Block 80 is located in the Northern part of the Tomsk oblast, next to the most prolific Khanty-Mansiisk oil region. Exploration activity between 1969 and 1985 resulted in eleven wells that penetrated Mesozoic Sedimentary cover and discovered the Kiev-Eganskoye oil field. In October 2007, the Group received the results of new seismic data on Block 80, including 380 sq km of 3-D seismic. These 3d data reveal one significant NE-SW trending structure and several smaller surrounding structures with a high exploration potential. The productive interval is the Upper Jurassic Vasyugan located at a depth of 2,550-2,600m. However, the new 3d data and reinterpretation of older data indicate the present of three new reservoirs of Jurassic and Cretaceous age not previously identified in the company’s reserve estimations which could result in significant increases in the quantity of recoverable reserves. Significant exploration and appraisal drilling is due to take place on this field in 2008.

Prospects: The Chimulyakskaya, Malo-Chimulyakskaya, Pulsetskaya, Kisetskaya and Minolginskaya prospects are located in the eastern part of Block 80. Three exploration wells were drilled between 1970 and 1980 and tested unsuccessfully. However, log interpretation data demonstrates potential pay zones in Tyumen Yu-4, Yu-6, Yu-10, “M”-reservoir and Paleozoic carbonates at a depth of 2,300 to 2,600 m. Imperial is planning its exploration programme for these prospects.

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