Chevron Australia and the Gorgon Joint Venture participants have announced the safe start-up and operation of the carbon dioxide injection system at the Chevron-led Gorgon natural gas facility on Barrow Island, off the northwest coast of Western Australia. Chevron Australia managing director Al Williams said: “We are pleased to reach the first milestone of safely starting the operation of the Gorgon carbon dioxide injection system, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas mitigation projects ever undertaken by industry.
Company Updates
AGS sets OBN production records in the North Sea
Norwegian ocean bottom node seismic company AGS has announced a number of seismic production records during an Utsira multi-client ocean-bottom node (OBN) seismic program. AGS said that this season’s Utsira multi-client ocean-bottom node (OBN) program, in conjunction with TGS, began on Saturday, July 3 and delivered a new company record marine source count in a single day. The crew achieved recording more than 50,000 marine sources in what was one milestone of a record seven-day acquisition window in all areas of the OBN program in the North Sea.
More gas will be needed to offset State’s renewable energy splurge, says Blue Energy
Queensland and NT explorer Blue Energy has weighed into Australia’s power struggle, saying the company believes the “misguided headlong rush” into renewable energy’s role in the national power grid will both stimulate gas exploration and spike energy prices in the country. In it’s June quarter activities report released recently, Blue Energy managing director John Phillips commented that despite the May federal election providing continuity of Government, the States still hold the balance of power when it comes to energy source, supply and distribution.
Woodside energy stimulus for WA mining
Woodside has entered into a long-term gas sale and purchase agreement with Worsley Alumina Joint Venture for the supply of approximately 40 PJ of pipeline gas. The gas is being supplied to the joint venture from Woodside’s portfolio of domestic gas facilities, including the North West Shelf, Pluto and Wheatstone. Worsley Alumina Joint Venture is held by South32 (86%), Japan Alumina Associates (10%) and Sojitz (4%). Woodside Executive Vice President Marketing Trading & Shipping, Reinhardt Matisons welcomed the agreement to supply gas to the Worsley Alumina integrated mining and refining complex in Western Australia’s south west.
Hibiscus to decide on Gippsland exploration with 3D Oil
Malaysian oil and gas independent Hibiscus Petroleum has secured an option to become a joint venture partner with 3D Oil to acquire up to a 50 per cent non-operated interest in the VIC/P74 permit in the offshore Gippsland Basin. Hibiscus announced this development to the market after 3D Oil was awarded the permit for VIC/P74 last week by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA). The 1006km2 permit is located on the southern side of the Gippsland Basin, adjacent to the world class Kingfish oilfield.
Path ‘now clear for NT onshore shale gas exploration’
Santos has welcomed the company’s approval for the first Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to be awarded for onshore shale gas exploration in the Northern Territory since the moratorium was lifted in early 2018. NT Environment and Natural Resources Minister Eva Lawler approved Santos’ Drilling EMP for the Tanumbirini 2H and Inacumba 1/1H wells in Exploration Permit 161 in the McArthur Basin, east of Daly Waters. Santos is operator of, and has a 75 per cent interest in, the permit.
Colombia had highest oil and gas discoveries in Q2 2019
Colombia led globally with seven oil and gas discoveries in the second quarter of 2019, followed by India, Russia and Pakistan with three each, according to data and analytics company GlobalData. GlobalData’s reveals that of Colombia’s seven onshore discoveries, five were conventional oil and two were conventional gas. The two conventional gas discoveries were made in Lower Magdalena Valley basin and the three conventional oil discoveries were made in Putumayo basin, with the remaining in Llanos Orientales basin.
Total E&P Congo successfully deploys “world’s first” cementless completion
Welltec has announced a “world first” deployment of a truly cementless completion in the Republic of Congo during the second quarter of 2019. The company said that “building on the experience gained through the continuous deployment of the Welltec® Annular Barrier (WAB®) in the Moho North Albian field, Total E&P Congo has pushed the boundaries of Metal Expandable Annular Sealing technology even further by deploying the world’s first cementless completion using the Welltec® Annular Isolation (WAITM) in open hole.
Project Atlas milestone as pipeline construction starts
Senex Energy has welcomed the announcement by Jemena of the start of construction on the pipeline that will supply natural gas from Project Atlas to domestic customers. In June 2018 Senex partnered with major energy infrastructure provider Jemena to build, own and operate a 15 petajoule per annum (40 TJ/day) natural gas processing facility and 60 km buried pipeline to process and transport gas from Senex’s Project Atlas to the Wallumbilla Hub. Project Atlas, near Wandoan in south-west Queensland’s Surat Basin, is the first acreage in Australia designate solely to supply gas to the domestic market.
Shearwater begins seismic survey offshore Cambodia
KrisEnergy has commenced the start of a 1,200sq2 3D seismic survey in the offshore Cambodia Block A concession, where the Company is developing the Apsara oil field. Shearwater Geoservices was awarded the turnkey broadband seismic contract through the wholly-owned subsidiary, KrisEnergy (Apsara) Company Limited, and has deployed the vessel SW Vespucci. KrisEnergy said that around 200km2 of the 3D program will be acquired over the Apsara development area to improve imaging of geological faults and sand bodies to aid in the finalisation of the design of well trajectories -- ahead of development drilling for first oil.