Shell unit reports deepwater oil find off Brunei

March 14, 2011
Brunei Shell Petroleum Co. Sdn. Bhd. (BSP) made an oil discovery in 1,000 m of water about 100 km off Brunei.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 14
-- Brunei Shell Petroleum Co. Sdn. Bhd. (BSP) made an oil discovery in nearly 1,000 m of water about 100 km off Brunei. The well, called Geronggong, was drilled in the 3rd Offshore Acreage Area and is the deepest water depth in which BSP has found hydrocarbons in Bruneian acreage, the company said.

Evauation of the well data continues, BSP reported, although “initial results from the Geronggong well indicate the presence of various hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs.”

BSP said, “Initial data estimates the field could contain several hundred million barrels of oil in place, which makes it a very significant discovery for Brunei.”

Ken Marnoch, managing director for BSP, said, “This discovery marks the start of a new chapter in the oil and gas industry of the nation.”

BSP drilled the discovery with the Noble Phoenix deepwater dynamic positioning drillship. BSP assured that before the Noble Phoenix’s arrival in Brunei, the ship had undergone refurbishment and recertification on its thrusters, riser, and blow out preventer systems, thus complying with the company’s high health, safety, and environmental standards.

Follow-up plans involve assessment of the full field recovery potential, including further appraisal drilling over the next 2 years, BSP said.