Unocal says West Seno project on schedule

US oil, gas firm Unocal Corp. said that the development of Indonesia?s first deepwater oil and gas project in West Seno, Makassar Strait was on schedule with first phase start up estimated at the end of first quarter of 2003, according to the company?s executive.

Unocal Indonesia president Brian Marcotte told Petromindo.com in an interview recently that a second phase would follow 18 months later, yielding peak production estimated at 60,000 barrels of oil per day and up to 150 million cubic feet of gas per day.

?We are continuing with our first deepwater development project at West Seno in the Makassar Straits PSC. The project is on schedule with detailed engineering work in progress and long-lead equipment items underway. The project is being done by a consortium of Clough Engineering, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and P.T. Petrosea,? said Marcotte.

Unocal discovered the West Seno field in August 1998 after conducting drilling in approximately 3,000 feet of water. (alex)