Salamander reports higher productivity from Bualuang Miocene well offshore Thailand

Offshore staff

LONDON – Salamander Energy says eight development wells have been completed and brought onstream from the new Bualuang Bravo platform in the Gulf of Thailand.

Seven were drilled into the Miocene-age T4 sandstone reservoir, the field’s main producing unit, with the other completed in the T2 reservoir unit underlying T4. That well has delivered 3,000 b/d of dry oil since start-up, much higher than the T4 wells. Salamander plans to drill a second T2 producer before the rig leaves the platform to drill exploration prospects in the G4/50 license.

Total daily production from theBualuang field this month has been 14,300 b/d. Other initiatives continue to reduce the field’s long-term operating costs by up to 30%. Construction of new power modules and processing facilities is more than 50% complete and these will be delivered to the field by the first half of next year.

Additionally, Salamander has signed an agreement to take Teekay Offshore’sNavion Clipper on a 10-year contract starting in 2H 2014; the vessel will be converted to a floating, storage, and offloading unit (FSO).

In G4/50, the company has identified more than 60 prospects and leads, based on 5,000 sq km (1,930 sq mi) of 3D seismic data over the license. In mid-June exploration drilling will start using the jackupAtwood Mako. The program could include wells on the Rayong and Surin prospects. Both are said to have multiple step-out drilling targets for follow up in the event of a discovery.

In the south of Indonesia’s offshore Kutei basin, Salamander is a partner in the Tayum-1 exploration well, which is due to spud soon. This will target 50 bcf (1.4 bcm) of gas in a prospect adjacent to theDambus discovery. The operator already has 73 bcf (2.1 bcm) on the block and a success at Tayum could lead to a development.

5/20/2013