Offshore staff

SYDNEY, Australia -- OMV, operator of the Maari oilfield, has begun drilling the final two oil production wells on the offshore south Taranaki development, after completing water injection wells MR6, MR7, and MR8.

MR7 and MR8 have begun injecting water at a temperature of 65o C (149o F) into the Moki sands at a combined rate of 26,000 b/d. The MR6 well is awaiting hook-up.

Partner Horizon Oil reports that total production of crude oil from Maari to May 31 was 1.4 MMbbl. The current production rate has been hampered by required shut-ins for drilling operations.

The Maari partners are considering drilling a development well into the M2A sands, which lie above the Moki sands.

The jackup Ensco 107 is scheduled to drill an appraisal well in the nearby Manaia field from the Maari platform. The Manaia well will be drilled immediately after the current Moki wells are completed.

06/30/2009