By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 6 -- Houston independent Apache Corp. has started producing oil and gas from Balboa field in about 3,350 ft of water on East Breaks Block 597, 130 miles south of Galveston, Tex. The field is a one-well development with a 6-mile tieback to the Anadarko Petroleum Corp. operated Boomvang spar on East Breaks Block 643.
Production from the well started on Dec. 28.
Apache said initial gross flow rates have stabilized at about 30 MMcfd of gas and 1,400 bo/d from an oil-bearing sandstone reservoir with a gas cap. The company noted that the well is completed near the crest of the structure to optimize overall hydrocarbon recovery and is expected to initially produce gas and liquids with increasing liquids and decreasing gas volumes throughout the life of the field.
Apache assumed operatorship of Balboa with the acquisition of Mariner Energy Inc. in November 2010.
The company holds a 50% interest in the block with the other 50% held by Marubeni Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., according to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement records.
Photo from Borealis AG.
Photo from OKEA.
