By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 28 -- BHP Billiton Ltd. said Mar. 27 that it is continuing its structural analysis of a hull anomaly identified on the Neptune tension-leg platform.
The anomaly was discovered during the TLP's commissioning (OGJ Online, Mar. 26, 2008). Personnel working on the TLP were removed temporarily, but they have returned to work on the platform, BHP Billiton said.
A BHP Billiton spokeswoman told OGJ Mar. 27 that it is still too early to answer questions regarding if or how the anomaly might impact future production. Previously, BHP Billiton said production was expected to start "during the March quarter."
No details have been released yet regarding the nature of the anomaly.
"We do intend to update our schedule for first production as we know more. We believe the impact to fiscal year 2008 production will be minimal," she said.
The 5,900-ton TLP was equipped to produce as much as 50,000 b/d of oil and 50 MMscfd of natural gas from an initial seven subsea wells. The TLP was installed June 5, 2007, and the topsides processing facility was set atop the hull later that same month (OGJ, Aug. 3, 2007, Newsletter).
BHP Billiton is the operator and holds 30% interest. Its partners are Marathon Oil Corp. 30%, Woodside Energy 20%, and Repsol-YPF SA subsidiary Maxus (US) Exploration 15%.
