Anne K. Rhodes
Refining/Petrochemical Editor
High-quality Saladin crude oil from offshore Western Australia has been assayed. The 48.2 API, 0.02 wt % sulfur crude's characteristics - determined in 1990 - are presented here for the first time.
Operator of the Saladin field is West Australian Petroleum Pty, Ltd. (Wapet) Group. Partners in the consortium are Chevron Asiatic Oil Co. (23.71%), Texaco Oil Development Co. (25.71%), Shell Development (Australia) Pty. Ltd. (25.71%), Ampol Exploration Ltd. (12.86%), and Western Mining Corp. (10%).
The estimated 30-40 million bbl field, south of Barrow Island, is produced from two platforms in 58 ft of water in block TP 3. Production began in late 1989 from three platforms with three wells each and from two wells drilled directionally from Thevenard Island (OGJ, Dec. 11, 1989, p. 36).
The field came on stream at a rate of 25,000 b/d, peaked at about 60,000 b/d, and is expected to continue producing until 1994-1996. Saladin experienced a natural decline in production in 1991, from about 45,500 b/d to 39,000 b/d. The field, Western Australia's largest producer, contributed 43% of the state's oil production in 1991.
Immediately southwest of Saladin, two small extension fields - Cowle and Yammaderry - went on stream in April 1991 at a combined production rate of about 6,500 b/d. Production from these fields, estimated to contain about 4 million bbl each, is expected to continue until approximately 1995.
Each field is produced from a single-well monopad platform. Yammaderry lies in 30 ft and Cowle in 39 ft of water. Individual flow lines connect the wells to Saladin treating and storage facilities on nearby Thevenard Island. A pipeline from Thevenard will move treated crude to an offshore mooring/tanker-loading buoy.
[See Booklet]
Copyright 1993 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
