CNOOC confirms new South China Sea gas discovery

Sept. 16, 2002
CNOOC Ltd. has made a new natural gas discovery in the South China Sea. The company reported Sept.12 that its natural gas wildcat well PY34-1-1 confirmed an earlier gas discovery in the PY34-1 area.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Sept. 16 -- CNOOC Ltd. has made a new natural gas discovery in the South China Sea. The company reported Sept.12 that its natural gas wildcat well PY34-1-1 confirmed an earlier gas discovery in the PY34-1 area. The well was tested to produce 13 MMcfd.

PY34-1-1, at the mouth of the Pearl River in East South China Sea, is about 30 km southwest of PY30-1, a gas-bearing structure.

CNOOC Executive Vice-Pres. Ru Ke said, "The success of this well and a series of other gas discoveries made in this area may be showing us a pattern of how gas reserves are deposited in this area. We may be looking at 'cluster development' for gas if more meaningful gas accumulations are found."

The discovery follows on the heels of a late August natural gas discovery in the western South China Sea. That appraisal well, YCH13-4-2 on the YCH13-4 discovery, produced about 20 MMcfd on a 16 mm choke during drill stem tests.

CNOOC holds 100% interest in both discoveries.