IPC starts drilling program off Malaysia

International Petroleum Corp., Vancouver, BC, has spudded the first well in a multiwell drilling program on Block PM307 off Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast.

It plans two infill landing pilot wells in the southeastern and northeastern areas of Bertam oil field to be followed by an exploratory well designated Keruing in the southeastern part of the field and three infill wells.

Success of the first pilot, testing upside potential in the A15 area of the field, might lead to the drilling of another infill well in the 2019 program.

The second pilot will attempt to confirm commercial amounts of hydrocarbons in the A14 area and derisk development drilling.

The target of the Keruing well will be a reservoir designated I-35 about 600 m shallower than pay in Bertam field.

On production since April 2015, Bertam field is 175 km offshore in 74 m of water. It has an unstaffed wellhead platform and 12 horizontal wells producing light, high-quality oil to a spread-moored floating production, storage, and offloading vessel.

IPC holds a 75% working interest and is operator. Petronas Carigali holds 25%.