Arthit gas production scheduled for February

Offshore staff

BANGKOK, Thailand -- PTT Exploration and Production Public Co. Ltd. plans to begin gas production in Feb. 2008 from Phase 1A of the Arthit project in the Gulf of Thailand.

Phase IB is to start production in Oct. 2008, the company says. As of late September, on the 16,800-metric ton (18,519-ton) central processing platform, which is being built at the J. Ray McDermott yard on the Indonesian island of Batam, was 90% complete, said Pich Piyaratn, Arthit senior project manager, in a recent update on the project.

The rising cost of raw material has raised the Phase I project cost, estimated at $1 billion, according to Thai media reports. In 2003, the project was estimated at $800 million, with development scheduled for 2003-2006 at a production rate of 330 MMcf/d of natural gas.

According to PTTEP's project update, six wellhead platforms have been installed for Phase IA production. Other installed facilities include five natural gas pipelines, one condensate pipeline, jackets for the central processing platform, and the living quarters as well as the flare tripod.

PTTEP says 78 wells have been drilled for Phase I production. Phase IB will produce from four wellhead platforms.

PTTEP, a unit of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, holds 80% of the exploration and production concession on Arthit, which is part of the Navamindra Petroleum Area in concession blocks B14A, B15A, and B16A in the Gulf of Thailand. Partners include Chevron Thailand with 16% interest and Mitsui Exploration and Production Co. of Japan with the remaining 4%.

9/20/2007