Barossa FPSO hull floated, drilling still suspended

Offshore staff

ADELAIDE, Australia — Gas and liquids production rose recently from the Bayu-Undan Field in the Timor Sea, due to increased plant uptime, Santos said in its latest results statement. However, production is likely to cease permanently later in the year.

In the same region, the Barossa gas and condensate project to backfill Darwin LNG is 60% complete. The hull for the FPSO has been floated and fabrication of the topsides modules is on track, likewise fabrication of the subsea equipment and the subsea installations.

Drilling operations remain suspended with the rig on standby off the coast of Darwin as Santos strives to secure required approvals to resume the work. Assuming regulatory approval comes through, drilling could restart before the end of the year.

If installation of the gas export pipeline also begins in 2023, Barossa should come onstream during first-half 2025 and within current cost guidance.

Recently Santos Energy Solutions signed four memorandum of understanding agreements for the proposed storage of CO₂ emissions from third parties at the planned Bayu-Undan CCS facilities, with potential demand for more than 10 MM metric tons per year of CO₂ storage.

Feasibility studies continue concerning international CO₂ imports via ship for injection at Bayu-Undan.

Offshore Western Australia, the Spartan development has delivered first gas while the Reindeer Field continued to produce intermittently to manage water levels at the Devil Creek complex as the field reaches the end of its life, expected in 2023 or early 2024.

Pyrenees Phase 4 infill also has come online.

07.26.2023