Unocal to start production at West Seno in 2002

American cit and gas company Unocal said it would start production at the West Seno field in Makassar Straits in the tatter pan of 2002 with the capacity of between 60,000 and 70,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

President of Unocal Indonesia Company Brian W.G. Marcotte said on Wednesday that West Seno's oil output at the Stan of the production was estimated 50,000 barrels per day.

He said the company and its partners would invest US$700 million in the next two years to develop the field. The money would be spent to build the offshore facilities, production wells and pipelines.

He said the field was currently equally owned by Unocal and ExxonMobil with state oil and gas company Pertamina having the option to acquire 10 percent of the shares.

"I think in the end, it will be a 45 (percent)-45 (percent)-10 (percent) ownership between Unocal, ExxonMobil and Pertamina respectively, Marcotte said on the sidelines of the Indonesian International Oil, Gas and Energy Conference and Exhibition (IIOGE).

He said Unocal had also planned to develop the Merah Besar field, which is also located in the Makassar Straits block. Pertamina has approved the plan.

"It is a smaller oil and gas field. But it will be most likely developed as it is within the

Marcotte said Unocal discovered the West Seno field in August 1997 after conducting drilling in approximately 3,000 feet of water. The Merah Besar field was discovered in November 1996 after the company drilled in over 1,000 feet of water.

Roth fields are the first hydrocarbon discoveries in the country's deepwater areas. Marcotte said Unocal Indonesia currently produced between 90,000 and 95,000 barrels oil equivalent per day, including 60,000 barrels of oil per day. (alex)