JOB Pertamina-PetroChina drills two wells offshore Salawati

JOB (Joint Operating Body) Pertamina-PetroChina, the operator of Salawati Island block in Papua Province, has successfully drilled two development oil wells, an industry source told Petromindo.Com Friday.

“The TBA-2 and TBA-3 wells are the first offshore wells in the block. Each well was drilled to a depth of around 7,500 feet,” the source said without providing details on results of the drilling test.

The TBA field has probable gross reserves of 5.3 million barrels oil and liquids, according to a report from another participant of the block, Lundin Petroleum. The Swedish company said first oil from the TBA field was scheduled for the second quarter of 2005 through a mobile production unit.

The source said the initial production from the TBA field will be set at around 1,500 barrels per day (bpd) but it was expected to reach 4,500 bpd after a further development.

The source added that the operator also planned to drill at the TBC offshore field of the block.

Salawati Island block is currently producing oil around 5,000 bpd.

State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina holds 50 percent of working interest in the block, while PetroChina, Lundin and Pearl Oil hold 16.7858 percent, 14.5122 percent and 18.7020 percent, respectively. (godang)