Angola
Esso Exploration Angola Ltd. said its Batuque discovery on deepwater Block 15 flowed at the rate of 5,200 b/d of oil.
The find, drilled to TD 12,400 ft in 2,400 ft of water, flowed at a rate of 5,200 b/d. The find is the ninth on the block for ExxonMobil.
Block 15 is thought to contain recoverable reserves in excess of 3 billion boe (OGJ Online, Dec. 1, 2000). First oil had been expected in 2003, but tax issues have clouded timing of the development.
Pakistan
Lasmo PLC, London, signed a revised agreement with Pakistan's Petroleum Ministry for development of Bhit gas field in Sindh province, where flow is to start at end-2002.
The new pact calls for Lasmo, Kirthar Pakistan BV, and Oil & Gas Development Co. to invest $260 million for development and for the field to produce at a plateau of 235 MMcfd. Previous figures were $268 million and 270 MMcfd. Sui Southern Gas Co. Ltd. will buy the gas. Bhit field, discovered in 1997, contains an estimated 1 tcf of gas.
California
The US Minerals Management Service was to start work soon on an environmental impact statement for proposed exploratory drilling off Santa Barbara County.
The EIS will identify and assess potential impacts and mitigation associated with proposals to drill five to eight delineation wells on three undeveloped units in the Santa Maria basin and one undeveloped unit in the western Santa Barbara Channel.
MMS previously approved the oil companies' exploration plans, which the California Coastal Commission (CCC) determined were consistent with the state's coastal management plan. The plans proposed specific wells that have not been drilled.