Primeline and CNOOC Ltd. have received formal approval of the environmental impact assessment report (“EIA”) relating to the development of the LS36-1 gas field from the State Oceanic Administration (“SOA”).
The SOA had previously approved the routing of pipeline for the Development. The Safety Assessment and Occupational Hazard Assessment of the Development have also been approved by relevant government departments.
The EIA approval paves the way for the final regulatory approval required for the Development, namely approval of the Overall Development Program (“ODP”). Primeline expects that CNOOC will submit the ODP for confirmation by the National Reform and Development Committee shortly and Primeline will make a separate announcement when such submission is made.
In the meantime, CNOOC, as the Development Operator, has stepped up preparation work on the Development. Major construction contracts have been signed and fabrication of the platform and work on the pipeline are proceeding smoothly. The Development is currently on schedule for first production expected to be around Q3 2013.
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , June 07, 2012; Image: Primeline