Valeura Energy has issued an update on the situation at the Wassana oil field in the Gulf of Thailand, where operations have been suspended since late June.
An underwater inspection of the MOPU identified a crack within a weld on one of the platform’s three steel legs. However, a subsequent review, including input from a third-party engineering firm, suggests the crack may be superficial and may not present a risk to the structural integrity of the MOPU.
Valeura now plans more detailed underwater inspection work, which it aims to complete around the end of July. If this confirms the latest analysis, the company would look to restore production promptly.
But if the crack is shown to propagate further into the structure, more extensive repairs would be needed prior to a restart.
Following appraisal drilling last year, which confirmed the presence of deeper-lying oil in the field, Valeura has been assessing a redevelopment to raise production and extend Wassana’s economic life.
The company has awarded the FEED for the redevelopment to Thai Nippon Steel Engineering & Construction Corp, with work already underway. Following the FEED study, Valeura will consider taking FID around the end of this year.
Nong Yao updates
Elsewhere in the Gulf, recent drilling around the Nong Yao Field led to a discovery in the Nong Yao D area, and two production infill wells have been completed at Nong Yao A ahead of development drilling on the Nong Yao C accumulation.
The aim of the campaign is to increase the company’s share of production from the greater Nong Yao area from the current 7,000 bbl/d to 11,000 bbl/d.
First oil from Nong Yao C development should flow later in the current quarter.
