By an OGJ correspondent
BANGKOK, July 3 -- Soco International PLC, a partner in Bualuang field in the Gulf of Thailand, said oil production from the field would commence this month. Salamander Energy PLC operates the field, which was first discovered in 1993 on Block B8/38.
Thai Energy Ministry officials indicated that output from the field of as much as 10,000 b/d could be expected.
The field's proved oil reserves were recently upgraded to 11 million bbl from 7.2 million bbl, with probable and possible reserves lifted to 20 million bbl (OGJ, June 6, 2008, Newsletter).
Rubicon Vantage, the floating production, storage, and offloading vessel, was being hooked up to the wells.
Six development wells were drilled in the field, encountering 27° oil, a better-quality reservoir than forecast.
Salamander holds a 60% interest in Block B8/38, and Soco has a 40% stake. Both companies are based in the UK.
