Far East: Thailand

FAR EAST

Thailand

After suffering a 9.4% decline in real gross domestic product (GDP) for 1998, Thailand recovered in 1999. Real GDP increased 3.8%, and 4.2% growth is expected this year. The status quo prevails on upstream fiscal terms. The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) describes the situation as one where "the government is happy, and the companies are happy."

Exploration. Seismic activity totaled 1,575 mi of 2-D surveys (down 41%) and 640 sq mi of 3-D work (down 70%) last year. For 2000, only 249 mi of 2-D work and 270 sq mi of 3-D surveys, all offshore, are expected.

PTTEP planned seven exploration wells for 2000. In recent years, the state firm has found enough reserves to enable its exploratory drilling to slow. Activity on the PTTEP 1 tract included 14 sq mi of 3-D seismic in U-Thong field and analysis of existing 2-D data. One wildcat and one appraisal also were drilled. Offshore, in GOT Block 15A, PTTEP struck additional gas and condensate in the Arthit 15-1X wildcat (41 MMcfgd and 1,657 bcpd from five zones) and Arthit 15-3X appraisal (63.4 MMcfgd and 654 bcpd). Additional wells were due to finish by mid-2000.

Offshore, in Chevron’s GOT Block B8-32, the high-potential Jarmjuree area is on trend with the Pakakrong discoveries. Five wells had struck hydrocarbons by late 1999, and another six to eight wells were drilled after those. Chevron expected to apply for a production license this year.

Unocal’s 10A-1 and 11A-1 wildcats in GOT Blocks 10A and 11A, respectively, struck gas and condensate during third-quarter 1999. The 10A-1 (12,280-ft TD) tested 14.8 MMcfgd and 250 bcpd, while 11A-1 flowed 18.0 MMcfgd and 675 bcpd.

Shell made plans for fresh activity on GOT Block B6/27, including two wildcats this year. One site is 1.3 mi north / northwest of Nang Nuang. The other site is the Nok Kaew prospect.

At Pailin gas field offshore Thailand, 45 development wells were drilled before the field went onstream in third-quarter 1999. Pailin output is running at 180 MMcfgd. (Photo courtesy of Amerada Hess Corp.)

Harrods Energy’s June 1999 acquisition of 50% interest and operatorship in GOT Blocks B11/32, B11/38 and B12/32 requires drilling two appraisal wells in B11/38 and B12/32. Harrods will drill these wells after finishing several wells on other blocks. This activity is part of a 10-well, jackup-based program for 2000. Last year, Harrods drilled a half-dozen wells in Blocks B2/38 and B5/27. A discovery well, B-5/27-3, was drilled last year and tested 1,096 bopd from multiple zones. Several appraisals confirmed the find.

Drilling/development. Drilling declined 8% in 1999, tallying 188 offshore wells and 15 onshore wells. Footage drilled was down 11%, including 2.14 million ft offshore. This year, DMR forecasts 34 onshore wells and 192 offshore wells. Unocal usually drills 75 to 100 development wells annually, to maintain deliverability.

PTTEP this year has slowed down from drilling an average 10 development wells annually. Meanwhile, Shell’s expanded development scheme continues at Sirikit field onshore, in north-central Thailand. Shell is spending $360 million through 2007 to drill nearly 190 new wells. About 132 of these will be development wells in Sirikit’s main portion.

At Chevron’s Block B8-32, five exploration wells found commercial oil and gas accumulations at Maliwan field. The company has a production license, and a development plan is moving forward. The project’s speed will depend on progress made in the gas market, but Maliwan is projected to be onstream in late 2001 or early 2002.

Production. As an operator, PTTEP produces about 100,000 boepd, 80% of which is natural gas. Offshore, at PTTEP’s Bongkot field (Thailand’s largest GOT gas field), Phase IIIA project (to boost gas output to 550 MMcfd) finished in July 1999, when the last of 39 wells was completed. In August 1999, Phase IIIB development began, comprising construction and installation of two additional wellhead platforms, plus the drilling of 42 development wells. This work will maintain plateau production. The 550 MMcfgd that PTTEP produces at Bongkot equals 35% of Thailand’s daily consumption.

The latest of five platforms went online in June 1999 at Chevron’s Tantawan field and is tied back to the Tantawan Explorer FPSO. The firm’s Benchamas gas field went onstream in July 1999 with three wellhead platforms, one processing platform and one quarters platform. There also is an FSO. Output ran at about 78 MMcfgd and 9,600 bcpd by the end of 1999. Chevron will continue drilling with two rigs at Benchamas through 2000.

At Unocal’s Pailin gas field, 45 development wells were drilled before the field went onstream in third-quarter 1999. Pailin output is running at 180 MMcfgd. On Block 11, Unocal’s Trat field began producing 70 MMcfgd and 2,100 bcpd from five wells last September. Pladang gas field also will have a second platform operational by 2002.