Salamander starts exploration drillings in Bontang PSC

By Peni Pedriawan

Salamander said that it had started its exploration drilling program in the North Kutei basin, East Kalimantan, with the spudding of the South Kecapi-1 DIR and DIRA exploration wells in the Bontang production sharing contract (PSC).

The South Kecapi-1 DIR well will be drilled to a depth of approximately 2,450 meters total vertical depth subsea (TVDSS). When completed, it will then be sidetracked approximately 1.5 km to the west with the South Kecapi-1 DIRA being drilled to a depth of approximately 2,100 meters TVDSS.

Salamander, which has a 100 percent operating interest in the Bontang PSC, announced in a press statement on Monday that the South Kecapi-1 DIR/DIRA wells were targeting gas and oil pay in a series of stacked Pliocene ? Upper Miocene sandstone reservoirs.

The combined mean pre-drill estimate of prospective recoverable resources is approximately 275 Bcf and 20 MMbo.

The wells will be drilled by the Ocean General semi-submersible rig in a water depth of 388 meters. On completion of the South Kecapi-1 DIR/DIRA wells the rig will move to the South East Sangatta PSC to test the North Kendang prospect.

Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb.