Matrix temporarily shuts down of one production well at N. Sumatra oilfield

Australian oil firm Matrix Oil NL said on Friday that it has temporarily shut down production from one of its two production wells (L1) at the Langsa technical assistance contract (TAC) in the offshore North Sumatra basin following the detection of a leak in the sub-sea production system.

According to Matrix, the leak was not oil, but only hydraulic fluid in the umbilical lines, which are used to open and shut valves on the sub-sea production systems. There is no risk of oil spillage from the leak.

Prior to the shutdown, the L1 well had been flowing at a rate of approximately 3,800 barrels of oil per day (BPD). The second well completed on the L field, L2, will continue to flow at a rate of approximately 2,800 to 3,000 BPD.

Matrix said the contracted operators for the project, Modec/Itochu, on Thursday had completed an investigation of the sub-sea flow lines, umbilicals and sub-sea production systems using a remote operating vehicle, and had reported that the leak may be in the production tree or hydraulic chamber near the sub-sea safety valve.

?Further investigation will be carried out over the next few days to determine the most efficient and speedy method to fix the leak to enable production to recommence. It is expected that this will involve the rapid mobilization of a drilling rig or barge to the site

to pull the sub-sea system for repairs. No timing is available for this at present, but it is expected that a rig could be mobilized shortly from Singapore to the operating area,? said B. Hockney, Matrix? managing director in a statement.

Meanwhile, Hockney also said that the first off-take of oil from the FPSO at the Langsa contract area would be for approximately 90,000 barrels, and would occur in December 22, and the oil had been sold to a refinery in South Korea.

Matrix, has 90 percent of working interest in Langsa TAC. (alex)