China
Husky Energy Inc., Calgary, said oil flow from the Wenchang project in the South China Sea has exceeded plan.
Peak rates have exceeded 60,000 b/d (24,000 b/d net to Husky), while prior to first oil, Husky anticipated peak production to be 50,000 b/d. Production commenced July 7, 2002.
Husky's interest is 40%. Wenchang is 140 km east of Hainan Island and 400 km southwest of Hong Kong.
The company plans to proceed with exploratory drilling on the 39/05 exploration license, a 5,700 sq km block that encircles the Wenchang fields, this quarter or in the first quarter of 2003 (see map, OGJ, Dec. 17, 2001, p. 62). Two or three wells could be drilled, and hydrocarbons could be exploited through Wenchang facilities.
Husky also signed petroleum contracts governing Block 23/15 covering 1,327 sq km and Block 23/20 covering 1,543 sq km. A single exploration well is required in each contract area in the first 3 years of the contract. The blocks are in Beibu Gulf north of Hainan Island near the Weizhou oil fields.
Texas
Southwest
Increasing levels of associated water production are expected to reduce near-term oil production levels at Comanche-Halsell (6500) field in Maverick County, said Exploration Co., San Antonio. The reductions likely will continue until a fieldwide development plan to optimize oil production is established (OGJ, Sept. 16, 2002, p. 36).
Drilling and completion are suspended for hunting season from early November 2002 to mid-January 2003, and drilling is expected to resume in early January 2003, the company said.
Saxet Energy Ltd., Houston, operates the field. Exploration Co. participated in 31 wells on Maverick basin acreage in the first 9 months, of which 15 were drilled in the third quarter. Eight more wells are to be drilled by yearend. The field pay is Cretaceous Glen Rose.
Exploration Co.'s third quarter net production averaged 1,500 b/d of oil and 7.2 MMcfd of gas.
