Ukrnafta is using the results of 3D seismic surveying to improve the accuracy of geological decisions and drilling efficiency.
“The total survey area over the past two years amounts to 1,211 km²: 582 km² in 2024 (including Ukraine’s first wireless seismic survey) and 629 km² in 2025. The work was carried out at nine fields and two blocks,” noted Bohdan Kukura, Chairman of the Board of JSC “Ukrnafta.” “The data obtained has already been integrated into geological models and drilling programs. I thank the team for their systematic work and the high-quality implementation of modern technologies in geological exploration.”
Based on the results of the completed stages of processing and interpreting data from 3D seismic surveys at three fields and one prospect area:
• geological models have been refined, and new promising areas and blocks for drilling new wells have been identified;
• based on the updated geological-hydrodynamic model, the locations of new planned wells at one of the fields were adjusted;
• one of the planned wells has already been drilled and put into operation with a high flow rate; three more wells are planned to be drilled here by the end of 2026, and two more in 2027;
• At another field, the drilling of an exploratory well has been planned.
This approach allows decisions to be made based on more accurate data, reduces geological risks, and increases the efficiency of investments in production.
JSC “Ukrnafta” is Ukraine’s largest oil producer and operates the country’s largest national network of gas stations—UKRNAFTA. In 2024, the company began managing Glusco’s assets. In 2025, it finalized a deal with Shell Overseas Investments BV to acquire the Shell network in Ukraine. In total, it operates nearly 700 gas stations.
The company is implementing a comprehensive program to resume operations and modernize the format of gas stations in its network. Since February 2023, it has been issuing its own fuel vouchers and “NAFTACard” cards, which are sold to legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC.
The largest shareholder of Ukrnafta is Naftogaz of Ukraine with a stake of 50% + 1 share.
In November 2022, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to transfer to the state the share of corporate rights in the company that belonged to private owners, which is now managed by the Ministry of Defense.
Ukrgazvydobuvannya, part of the Naftogaz Group, plans to conduct 3D seismic surveys covering an area of 230 square kilometers in western Ukraine, according to Serhiy Koretsky, chairman of the board of Naftogaz Ukraine.
Serhiy Koretsky.
“We are starting a new phase of 3D seismic surveys in western Ukraine. We plan that this year Ukrgazvydobuvannya will cover 230 square kilometers,” Koretsky wrote on Facebook on Friday.
According to him, this region has not been in focus for a long time due to depleted reserves – compared to the eastern part of Ukraine, it was considered less promising. However, as Koretsky noted, modern seismic exploration opens up new opportunities: it allows for more accurate detection of gas where it was previously impossible.
“We expect that the results of new research will allow us to start drilling new wells as early as 2026-2027,” the head of Naftogaz shared his plans.
The Naftogaz press release states that between 2019 and 2023, the company has already processed approximately 1,600 square kilometers of 3D seismic data in the western region, which has allowed for the drilling of more than 10 new wells. Four of them yielded initial production rates of 80 to 270 thousand cubic meters of gas per day. These figures were described as significant for the region, where gas production began in 1912.
Over the past five years, Ukrgazvydobuvannya has increased reserves in the region by 2.4 billion cubic meters, according to the release.
