Santos updates drilling programs offshore Australia
Offshore staff
ADELAIDE, Australia – Santos expects to initiate its $235-million Phase 3C infill drilling program at the Bayu-Undan field in the Timor Sea during the current quarter.
The three production wells (two platform-drilled and one subsea) will develop additional natural gas and liquids reserves, and extend the lives of both the offshore facilities and the onshore Darwin LNG plant.
Santos is also progressing preparations for a three-well infill drilling campaign on the Van Gogh field offshore Western Australia, with operations due to start in the next few weeks. First oil from these wells is targeted for late 2021.
In parallel, the company is continuing work on the pre-FEED phase for its Dorado project in the offshore Bedout basin. FEED entry is likely in the coming months ahead of a planned investment decision in the first half of 2022 for the Phase 1 oil project.
A geophysical and geotechnical survey has been completed at the field to assist design of the FPSO moorings and the wellhead platform design, with results passed to EPC contractors working on both facilities.
Also completed is a detailed evaluation of a future phase of gas export, following the initial liquids phase, through the company’s domestic gas infrastructure in Western Australia.
Late this year the jackup Noble Tom Prosser is due to start drilling various near-field exploration opportunities in the Carnarvon and Bedout basins.
One is the Dancer prospect, 7 km (4.3 mi) from the Reindeer field, which if successful would be produced via the Devil Creek facility.
Others are Pavo and Apus in the Bedout basin, 35-40 km (21.7-25 mi) from Dorado, both flagged as potential subsea tiebacks to the Dorado infrastructure.
04/23/2021
