By an OGJ correspondent
BANGKOK, Mar. 27 -- Arthit, one of the largest natural gas fields in the Gulf of Thailand, has come on stream after encountering minor production system problems during tests earlier this month.
Thai-owned operator PTT Exploration & Production PLC (PTTEP) said the field began producing 80 MMcfd of gas Mar. 26, which rose to 130 MMcfd on Mar. 27 and is expected to increase to 200 MMcfd within the next few days.
When the second compressor is started up later, output will be ramped up to 330 MMcfd, the contractual delivery rate PTTEP established with its parent firm PTT PLC.
PTTEP CEO Anon Sirisaengtaksin hailed the successful start-up of Arthit as a landmark achievement, as it is the first project in which PTTEP played a major role in all exploration, development, and production stages.
Development has cost PTTEP about $1 billion. The company holds an 80% interest in Arthit. Its partners are Chevron Thailand Exploration & Production 16% and Mitsui Oil Exploration (Moeco) Thailand 4%.
Production from Arthit, which covers an area of 3,682 sq km about 230 km off the Thai southern province of Songkhla, will serve about 10% of Thailand's current daily natural gas consumption.
Arthit's output will help raise PTTEP's overall sales volume target this year to 223,334 boe/d.
