| TOTAL, operator of the Bongkot offshore natural gas field with a 30% interest in partnership with the Thai national company PTTEP (40%), British Gas (20%) and Statoil (10%),.has completed Phase 3 in the development of the field located in the southern Gulf of Thailand. Daily output will increase from 350 to 550 million cubic feet of gas in the coming weeks and should meet around 35% of the country's natural gas requirements.
Commercial production at the Bongkot field began in mid-1993, with initial output (Phase 1) of 150 million cubic feet of gas per day (Mcf/d), and increased to 350 Mcf/d (Phase 2) in early 1996. The transition to Phase 3 only five years after production start-up confirms the success of the fast-track development project, which was supported by a large-scale 3D seismic survey and the use of such innovative technology as multi-drain wells enabling simultaneous production from several reservoirs. Partners in the Bongkot project have invested a total of $1.3 billion.
As agreed in the initial contract, PTTEP became operator of the Bongkot field on July 1. The transfer of operatorship involved an innovative, complex skills transfer project scheduled over a period of eight years.
The Bongkot project represents a major human and technological achievement, led by the skills and dedication of both TOTAL and PTTEP employees. In addition to retaining its 30% interest in the field, TOTAL is now providing technical support to the new operator. While continuing to develop business in Thailand, TOTAL will also help to supply natural gas to the country through its involvement in the Yadana development project in Myanmar, for which it is operator. |
