Project Profile

Value: US$270 million
Location: Offshore northern Australia
Water Depth: 50 m / 165 ft
Production: 11,000 boepd (2015)


The Blacktip field, 110 km offshore northern Australia, is fully owned and operated by ENI and has recoverable reserves of 150 MMboe. ENI has started the development of the Blacktip gas field, located in the Timor Sea approximately 110 km off the shore of northern Australia in the Bonaparte Basin, at a water depth of some 50 m.

The project provides for the drilling of two initial development wells, the installation of a production platform, the laying of a pipeline and the construction of an onshore treatment plant with a capacity of 1.3 Bcm per year.

In 2001, Blacktip was discovered by the Blacktip-1 well, which flowed at a rate of 89 MMcf/d principally from the Permian interval. The Transocean Sedco Forex jackup drilled the discovery well in 164 feet (50 metres) of water. Shortly after the discovery, the field was further explored and deemed commercially viable. Blacktip holds an estimated 933 billion standard cubic feet of raw gas and 5.7 million barrels of condensate.

Originally, the project was scheduled to begin field development in 2006, with production commencing in 2007. However, the Blacktip development encountered significant development difficulty and delay. In 2008, ENI began developing the field with hopes to continue to explore the area and drill additional wells to add to the field\'s production.

Saipem won an EPIC contract for the field\'s wellhead platform and the 67 mile (108 kilometre) export pipeline system. Saipem, using the Castoro Otto, a 623 foot (190 metre) anchored, derrick/lay vessel, undertook installation work.

In September 2008, AusGroup Limited received a US$30 million labor supply contract for the project. The scope of work included installing a wellhead platform jacket, piles and topsides, which was completed in January 2009.

Operator:

ENI: Operator with 100% interest

Contractors:

Atkins: engineering and consultancy services

AusGroup Limited: Labour supply contract

Neptune Marine Services: Perform an inspection, repair and maintenance contract

Saipem: EPIC contract

Transocean: Drilling contract