Salamander plugs latest offshore Thailand probe

Nov. 13, 2012
Salamander Energy (LSE:SMDR) is abandoning its latest exploration well in the Gulf of Thailand as a sub-commercial oil discovery.

Offshore staff

LONDON – Salamander Energy (LSE:SMDR) is abandoning its latest exploration well in the Gulf of Thailand as a sub-commercial oil discovery. 

TheB8/38-8 well was targeting a small fault terrace structure north of the Bualuang field. It encountered thin oil-bearing early Miocene T2 sandstones below 1,725 m (5,659 ft) TVDSS.

However, well-developed sections of both the T5 and T4 mid-Miocene sandstones were found to be water-wet, suggesting that the sand-rich section of the T5 caused leakage across the bounding fault at this location.

Load out and installation have been completed of theBualuang Bravo jacket and topsides and the K-1 heavy-lift vessel has left the field. The platform has undergone hook up and commissioning and the jackup Makowill shortly start development drilling.

James Menzies, CEO of Salamander, said: “Exploration in our offshore acreage is now focused on maturing the G4/50 prospect inventory and we eagerly anticipate the start of a minimum six-well campaign in 2013.

“Elsewhere, in Indonesia, theOcean General semisubmersible rig is expected to mobilize to our operated North Kutei acreage around the end of this month in order to spud the South Kecapi exploration well, which should start drilling in the first half of December.”

11/13/2012