Key Aussie offshore fields to begin producing

Australia's BHP Petroleum Pty. Ltd. and its partners are set to begin production of about 180,000 b/d of oil from two developments in the Timor Sea off Australia by yearend.

The Laminaria-Corralina fields are being developed by Woodwide Petroleum Group (50%), BHP (25%), and Shell Australia Ltd. (25%). And Buffalo field is being developed by BHP and Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd., each with a 50% interest.

Both projects will use floating production, storage, and offloading vessels (OGJ, Feb. 8, 1999, p. 34; and Oct. 5, 1998, p. 38).

The FPSO Northern Explorer is on site at Laminaria-Corallina, where output will begin in November, according to BHP. Production is expected to reach 140,000 b/d.

Meanwhile, development wells in Buffalo field have been completed and are due on stream by the end of the year.

A wellhead platform has been installed, and the FPSO Buffalo Venture is nearly ready for installation, as are a mooring system, prefabricated process modules, and related equipment. Buffalo production will average 40,000 b/d.