Santos achieves record flow from new Van Gogh well

Santos Ltd., Adelaide, achieved a record oil flow rate from the first of three planned production wells at Van Gogh field in the Carnarvon basin offshore Western Australia.

Following completion and tie-in, the well produced at a peak rate of 23,200 b/d—the highest initial rate from an individual well in the field’s history.

The new wells are part of the field’s Phase 2 infill development program (OGJ Online, Mar. 26, 2021). First oil from the project has come 16 months after final investment decision.

Drilling of the second horizontal, dual-lateral well is now under way.

The program is being undertaken by the Valaris MS1 jack up drilling rig. The remaining two wells are expected to be completed during the next 2 months and brought on stream before yearend.

Van Gogh field, in production license WA-35-L, is one of three subsea developments which tie into the floating production, storage and offtake (FPSO) vessel Ningaloo Vision.

Production from Van Gogh began in 2010. Nearby Coniston and Novara fields were tied back to the FPSO in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Santos is operator with 52.5% interest. Inpex Corp. holds the remaining interest.