By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 16 -- Unocal Corp. said its Unocal Thailand Ltd. subsidiary is seeking Thailand government approval to begin Phase II of its Thailand oil development, which would double current gross oil production from Yala and Plamuk fields in the Gulf of Thailand.
Unocal currently produces more than 20,000 bbl of oil from Platong, Surat, Yala, and Plamuk fields. Phase II will increase production to 40,000 b/d following completion of wells and other facilities—including a 850,000 bbl-capacity floating storage and offloading vessel to replace the current 630,000 bbl-capacity Sibeia tanker (OGJ Online, Aug. 15, 2003). The new facilities will be installed by mid-2005, with start-up shortly thereafter.
"Since we started oil production in late 2001, estimated oil resources in place have increased significantly," said Randy Howard, president of Unocal Thailand. The company said the resource potential now approaches 100 million bbl of oil, more than twice original estimates. Cumulative oil production since production start-up is about 8.5 million bbl.
Unocal Thailand is operator, with 71.25% working interest, in Yala, Plamuk, and Surat fields. Its partners are Mitsui Oil Exploration Co. Ltd. 23.75%, and PTT Exploration & Production Public Co. Ltd. .5%. Unocal Thailand also operates Platong and Kaphong fields, holding 70% working interest, while Mitsui holds 30%.
