Unocal begins development drilling from TLP in West Seno
Wednesday, March 19 2003 - 05:45 PM WIB
Unocal said the first well of a 28-well development program was spudded from the Tension-Leg Platform, TLP-A, in approximately 3,200 feet (975 meters) of water.
"This is a significant milestone towards first deepwater production for Unocal and Indonesia," said Brian W. G. Marcotte, president of Unocal Makassar in a statement. "We have successfully installed the first TLP in Southeast Asia and will be drilling development wells prior to the arrival of our Floating Production Unit (FPU). All submarine pipelines, deepwater mooring systems, and onshore facilities are complete and awaiting the arrival of the FPU.?
According to Unocal, the FPU, designed to process 60,000 barrels of oil per day (BPD) and 150 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMCFD), is currently undergoing final construction and yard commissioning in Ulsan, Korea. The unit will be towed to the field site in late April.
Unocal said the field was scheduled to come on production in mid-June 2003. Initial production of 12,000 to 15,000 BPD was expected from the first five pre-drilled development wells.
?Production is expected to steadily increase to 35,000 to 40,000 BPD by year-end 2003 and continue ramping up in 2004 as the remainder of the Phase One drilling program is executed,? said the company.
Unocal further said the Phase Two, which is expected to come on line about 2 years after Phase One production commences, would include a second TLP, infield pipelines and up to 24 additional development wells.
?Daily production is targeted to reach 60,000 barrels of oil and 150 MMCF of gas in 2005 following the second phase development. Ultimate recovery from the field is expected to be 210 to 320 million barrels-of-oil equivalent,? Unocal added.
Unocal Makassar is operator of the Makassar Strait PSC with a 90-percent working interest. Meanwhile, the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina hold the remaining 10-percent interest. (robert)