Cooper Energy Ltd., Adelaide, has engaged Perth engineering and design consultants Atteris Pty. Ltd. to undertake engineering studies for the decommissioning of Basker-Manta field’s subsea oil wells and related systems in Bass Strait, offshore eastern Victoria.
The wells, which lie 56 km offshore, began oil production in 2005 but were suspended in 2010 and have not been producing since that time.
Basker field was discovered by Royal Dutch Shell PLC in 1983 and Manta in 1984, but the oil was not thought to be commercial until Anzon Energy developed a production system using a small floating production facility connected to a dedicated tanker that disconnected when loaded and sailed to southern Australian refineries. Gas produced with the oil was reinjected into the Basker reservoir.
Anzon ran into financial difficulties and despite partnerships with Roc Oil Co. Ltd. and Beach Energy Ltd., the oil production wound down after 5 years of production, which at peak reached 6,000 b/d.
Cooper Energy bought into the fields in 2014 and now has 100% interest. The company is planning to redevelop Manta, Basker, and nearby Gummy fields predominantly as a gas project, known as the Manta Gas Development.
At this stage the plan is to drill Manta-3 appraisal well in 2019. This well also will evaluate a new reservoir underneath the main target known as Manta Deep and use the results to inform a final investment decision for the gas project by the end of that year.
The project will dovetail with the company’s proposed development of the nearby Sole gas field, which is slated to start gas production in March 2019. Production from Manta, if it goes ahead, is expected by 2021.
Both Sole and Manta projects will use the revamped onshore gas production facilities near Orbost, which is connected to the main Gippsland-Sydney gas trunkline.
