Subsea production wells in Australasia and Southeast Asia 2002-2010.
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In looking at subsea production wells being brought onstream in Australasia and Southeast Asia, the figure shows the dramatic rise in the number of wells to be brought onstream in 2007 - to a level expected to be maintained right through the turn of the decade.
Numerous gas fields will be brought onstream to supply LNG plants in Indonesia and Northwest Australasia, which in turn are set to feed the regional burgeoning energy demand, particularly from China.
Projects within this region are a mix between tieback-to-shore and floating production units, and it is the increasing activity in deepwater prospects by both independents (such as Murphy, Woodside, BHP) and integrated oil companies (Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron) that has driven this growth.
Chevron is worth particular mention. Already, a major presence in Australia due to the Greater Gorgon project, the acquisition of Unocal means that there are now several major projects in Southeast Asia, such as Gendalo, Gehem, and Ranggas under its control. It will be interesting to see how these play out as Chevron prioritizes its activities throughout the world.
Will Rowley
Director of Analytical Services, Infield Systems
