CNOOC finds gas with Liuhua 19-3 wildcat

Aug. 27, 2001
CNOOC Ltd. said it made a gas discovery in the South China Sea with Liuhua 19-3-1 wildcat. The well, about 70 km from the producing Liuhua 11-1 oil field, was spudded in June and drilled to 1,500 m TD.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Aug. 27 -- CNOOC Ltd. said it made a gas discovery in the South China Sea with Liuhua 19-3-1 wildcat.

The well, about 70 km from the producing Liuhua 11-1 oil field, was spudded in June and drilled to 1,500 m TD.

CNOOC conducted drillstem tests on several intervals. One tested at 49,000 cu m/day (1.7 MMcfd) on a 44/64-in. choke.

"This discovery is encouraging," said Ru Ke, executive vice-president. "Liuhua 19-3-1 is the first wildcat drilled targeting for gas reservoir in the shallow horizons of the area. This indicates the existence of hydrocarbon sources in the area and brightens the prospects of a number of wells planned for the future."

Liuhua 19-3 is in the Eastern South China Sea, about 223 km south of Hong Kong.

China National Offshore Oil Corp. owns 70.6% of CNOOC Ltd., which is incorporated in Hong Kong.