Reservoir issues impact Azurite output

Offshore staff

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Production on the Murphy Oil-operated Azurite Field off Republic of Congo is lower than expected, averaging around 20,000 b/d in January says partner PA Resources (PAR).

The most recently drilled producer wells encountered reduced reservoir development, reservoir complexity, and indications of reduced aquifer development. This has led to a downward revision of recoverable reserves.

Remaining work on Azurite includes drilling and completion of two water injector wells and one replacement producer well, with the resultant pressure support increasing the overall production rate. Development of the field should now be completed in the second quarter.

PAR is working on a dynamic forecasting model of future production from the field, and this program will be supplemented by data from the wells remaining to be drilled.

Late last year, three exploration/appraisal wells were drilled on the Mer Profond Sud license, all of which were unsuccessful.

Turquoise Marine 4 delivered non-commercial oil pay of around 5 m (16.4 ft) after being drilled to a deeper target, and encountered significant reservoir development. The partners are now assessing this deeper reservoir in the Sendji formation over the entire licence, which could lead to future exploration drilling.

Exploration drilling on Marine XIV licence, Republic of Congo
Elsewhere of Republic of Congo, PAR is a partner in the Marine XIV license where an exploratory well should be drilled by 4Q 2011, using a semisubmersible rig.

Offshore Equatorial Guinea, 10 development wells have been drilled at the Noble-operated Aseng field in block I -- five producers, three water injectors, and two gas injectors.

The Atwood Hunter finished its drilling program in December, but the Pride South Pacific rig will continue through the current quarter.

According to PAR, work on upgrading the FPSO, topsides fabrication and subsea assembly and testing remain on schedule. Installation activities will start in mid-year, with the field's production start due to come onstream during the first half of 2012.

02/16/2011