Japan Vietnam Petroleum Co. Ltd., operator and 46.5% interest holder in Rang Dong field on Block 15-2 off Viet Nam, has achieved first oil from two new wellhead platforms. These additional platforms have boosted production from the field by 40%, and gross production now averages 65,000 b/d of oil—the design capacity of the facilities.
Block 15-2 is in 165 ft of water in the Cuu Long basin, 120 miles southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The block covers 400,000 acres and is near Bach Ho and Ruby fields (OGJ Online, Apr. 23, 2002). By mid-2001 Rang Dong field had produced more than 32 million bbl of oil, with output second only to that of Bach Ho field.
Partner ConocoPhillips, which owns interests in 6 blocks off Viet Nam that total nearly 6 million gross acres, holds a 36% working interest in Block 15-2. PetroVietnam is the third partner, with 17.5% interest in the block.