Offshore staff
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Early testing results from the Kupe gas and oil field 30 km (18.6 mi) south of the Taranaki coast look promising, according to partner New Zealand Oil & Gas (NZOG).
Kupe operator Origin Energy conducted tests in December and January to compile information for an updated to the field development plan. It commissioned measurements of fluid contacts and additional perforations below existing perforations in two wells in order to enhance production and reservoir recovery.
The operation was logistically complex but came through on time and under budget, NZOG says.
Results to date have revealed increased gas and condensate rates and higher shut-in wellhead pressures. Also, initial analysis of logging indicates the water contact has not moved as much as modeling predicted, suggesting that ultimate recovery from the existing reservoirs may be higher than previously forecast.
In addition, the higher shut-in wellhead pressures indicate that previously untapped gas reserves may be available, trapped beneath shale layers.
Post re-perforation productivity more than doubled in the KS8 well – the least productive well in theKupe field, and there was additional productivity in the KS6 well.
NZOG adds that the Kupe joint venture partners have reached agreement to maintain increased gas production capability. Since the first half of 2012, capacity from the Kupe complex has risen by around 10% to up to 77 terajoules/d, with actual production averaging 63-65 tj/d.
The field produces gas, LPG, and light oil. The other partners are Genesis Energy and Mitsui.
02/03/2015
