Project Profile
CAPEX: US$145 million
Location: Bualuang, Gulf of Thailand
Gross 2P Reserves: 27.0 MMboe Net
Potential mean recoverable resources: 20 million barrels of oil
Production: 8,100 bpd (May, 2017)
FPSO capacity: 500,000 bbl
Start-up year: 2H 2018
Salamander is operator of the Bualuang production licence that contains the Bualuang oil field. The field (originally called Pornsiri) was discovered in 1992 and is located in the west of the Gulf of Thailand in water depths of approximately 60 metres. It is approximately 60 km west of the Chevron-operated gas/condensate and oil fields and Pearl Energy-operated Jasmine oil field in the Pattani Trough. The Miocene age sandstones which form the Bualuang Field reservoir are predominantly lacustrine and fluvial in character with porosities of around 30 per cent and permeabilities of up to 1 Darcy. The Bualuang oil is approximately 27 degree API and has a low gas:oil ratio.
The Bualuang oil field went into production in August 2008 and produces oil from five wells into a 500,000 bbl capacity FPSO. A second phase of development drilling was completed in May 2009. Phase IV of the development drilling was completed in H1 2010 and all 3 wells have been producing since May with pumps set in order to minimise the pressure draw down on the reservoir and therefore optimise recovery from these wells. In addition, the BA-11P pilot hole encountered 7m of net pay across three sandshores above the T4 reservoir. At the deeper objective below the T4 reservoir 8m of net pay was intersected in the T2 sandshores. There are also further prospects analogous to the Bualuang field and the second well will target the North Bualuang prospect. The East Terrace exploration well will be drilled early in 1Q 2011. This prospect is estimated to contain a mean 7 million barrels of oil (MMbo) with upside potential of 14 MMbo. The prospect has a 66% chance of success. The rig will then be used for Phase V of the development drilling. On completion of the development drilling in 2Q 2011 exploration wells on the NW Terraces and the Far East prospect will be drilled.
Operator:
Ophir Energy: Operator with 60% interest (through acquisition of Salamander)
SONA Petroleum: 40% interest
Contractor:
Atwood Oceanics: Use of Jack-up rig
Diamond Offshore: Drilling contractor
Ensco: Drilling contractor
Thai Nippon Steel (TNS): Load-out, installation and commissioning of the Bravo platform
Teekay Nordic Holdings Inc: Floating Storage & Offtake vessel
Hallin Marine (company closed down in 2014) : Contract work centered on the inspection and repair of the mooring and riser system at a floating production, storage and offloading facility