Offshore staff
DUBAI, UAE – First-quarter production from the Cheleken Contract Area (CCA) in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea averaged 88,700 b/d, up 23% from the corresponding period in 2014.
This was due to new development wells with strong flow rates entering production, according to operatorDragon Oil.
Since early April output has exceeded 93,000 b/d, putting the company on track to meet its target of 100,000 b/d later this year, said CEO Dr. Abdul Jaleel Al Khalifa.
Currently, theNeptune jackup is side tracking the Dzheitune (Lam) C/184 well; the Elima jackup is drilling the Dzheitune (Lam) B/202 well; and Land Rig 2 is side tracking the Dzhygalybeg (Zhdanov) A/102 well following an equipment failure downhole.
The newbuildCaspian Driller is expected to start operations in the CCA before mid-year.
Dragon’s water injection pilot project is progressing in the Dzheitune (Lam) 75 area. The company is close to securing approval to acquire additional water injection facilities for the Dzheitune (Lam) field to provide pressure maintenance, sustain production rates, and increase reserves recovery.
During 2Q 2014, the company commissioned jet pump systems for the Dzheitune (Lam) 13 platform for two wells, again with a view to increasing production and enhancing recovery. In parallel, Dragon is considering use of electric submersible pumps via a pilot project that could start later this year.
Design and detailed engineering work continues for the new wellhead and production platform Dzheitune (Lam) E and associated pipelines. The platform, which should be completed during the first half of 2016, will have eight slots with provision for another four slots to be installed later, and will be able to accommodate a drilling jackup.
Installation is under way of the Dzheitune (Lam) F production platform and this should be ready for drilling by mid-year. Concurrently, Dragon continues to add drilling slots to its existing platforms to ensure flexibility in its drilling program.
However, the company has deferred a project to build another 30-in. trunkline from the Dzheitune (Lam) field to the CCA’s Central Processing Facility. This would have transported mainly gas production to an onshore gas treatment plant that will now likely be constructed in phases over the next three to four years.
Dragon has decided that the existing 30-in. trunkline and two 12-in. pipelines are sufficient to accommodate increases in production during 2015-16 and plateau production of 100,000 b/d for at least five years from 2016.
The company does expect to increase loading capacity at the Aladja Jetty by installing another 16-in. pipeline and associated loading arms.
In the Gulf of Suez offshore Egypt, Dragon is working on reprocessing seismic over itsEast Zeit Bay concession and is close to awarding the work to an international contractor.
04/21/2015
