By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 13 -- Pogo Producing Co., Houston, reported late last month the drilling of the first three wells in a planned 6-well exploration program on Block B8/32 in the Gulf of Thailand. Pogo, through its Thai subsidiary Thaipo Ltd., holds 46.34% interest in the B8/32 concession. Other concession partners are operator Chevron Offshore (Thailand) Ltd., a unit of ChevronTexaco Corp. 51.99%, and Palang Sophon Ltd. 1.67%.
In mid-2001, ChevronTexaco predecessor Chevron Corp. revealed plans to embark on a $180 million scheme to build and install six minimum facilities platforms on the Thai block (OGJ Online, May 30, 2001).
"These three wells have extended northward and westward the productive field and Benchamas, and explored the northern region of Jarmjuree field," said Paul G. Van Wagenen, Pogo chairman. The next 3 wells, said Van Wagenen, will be an additional test well in north Jarmjuree field and two exploratory wells to test the northern and western limits of Tantawan field.
The first well, Benchamas North No. 4, was drilled on exploration acreage beyond the present northern periphery of the 102,000 acre Benchamas field production license area, Pogo said. The well found 163 ft of total pay, which included 126 ft of oil-bearing section and 37 ft of natural gas sands. Based on this discovery, Pogo and its partners intend to file for an extension of the present northern boundary of the license area. Also, a new platform will be needed to produce the well, Pogo said.
The second well was drilled west of any previously drilled wells. Benchamas No. 26 found 137 ft of total pay, including 62 ft of natural gas and 75 ft of oil from a previously untested fault block, Pogo said.
Jarmjuree No. 9, the third well, found 120 ft of total pay, which included 38 ft of oil and 82 ft of natural gas.