Emerald Driller spuds Bualuang field well

Offshore staff

LONDON -- The jackup Emerald Driller has spudded the BA-11P exploration pilot well on the Bualuang oil field, offshore Gulf of Thailand, according to Salamander Energy.

The well is targeting the T3 and T2 sandstone reservoirs beneath the Bualuang oil field at depths of 1,350 m (4,429 ft) and 1,550 m (5,085 ft) subsea, respectively. Pre-drill estimates of the T2 and T3 resource potential range between 5 and 10 MMbbl of oil, the company says.

Observed hydrocarbons will be logged and sampled before the well is plugged back and converted into one of two horizontal producers, BA-11H and BA-12H. These two wells will have 250-m (820-ft) horizontal sections and are expected be completed and tied-in within a six to eight week period.

"We are looking for the BA-11P well to confirm an oil column that could be part of the next source of reserves growth on the field," says James Menzies, chief executive of Salamander. "Once the BA-11H and BA-12H development wells are tied-in we anticipate a step change in the production rates from the field."

03/30/2009