Brunei Shell makes new oil discovery

BRUNEI Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP) has made a successful new oil discovery in the Seria North Flank, a previously undrilled part of the field. 

Shell said in a statement yesterday the well was drilled 3 km offshore in 8 metres of water by the Schlumberger self-propelled multi-purpose vessel, the BIMA.  

Commenting on the historic milestone, BSP managing director Mark Carne said: “We regard this as a very important discovery because there are up to 20 similar structures in this area. If this success is replicated, we estimate total recoverable oil of up to 100 million barrels from the whole of the Seria North Flank”.  

Carne said earlier this year BSP drilled a world record beating well in the Seria Field called a “fish hook well”.  

This well was so named because of its “U” shaped course following an uphill section of the underground strata to reach the target oil sands.  

“The combination of today's announced discovery and the success of the fish hook well combine to offer an exciting future for the Seria Field.  

“Using fish hook wells, we will be able to develop part of the offshore Seria North Flank from a drilling rig located onshore, thereby maximising the use of existing infrastructure and facilities. This shows that despite the maturity of Seria, our innovative engineers are breathing new life into the field,” Carne added.  

The statement said BSP was now proceeding with plans to fast-track further exploration, appraisal and development of Seria's North Flank. Additional reserves will be booked once technically and economically matured project plans are approved.  

The Seria Field was the first commercial field discovered in Brunei in 1929. The “Seria Shallow Marine North Flank” is an area of shallow waters ranging from two to 10 metres deep and stretching about 20 kilometres along the length of the coastline.  

This coastal reservoir has achieved production successes in the past, including the discovery of significant oil and gas accumulations in the Anduki, Tali and Enggang fields that form part of the Seria Field.  

In May this year, BSP celebrated 75 years since the first production in the Seria oil field in a colourful event graced by the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.