Australia: Bayu Undan JV secures more gas for Darwin LNG

Australian LNG player Santos said first gas was produced from the third and final well of the Bayu Undan infill well program, securing more resources for the Darwin LNG plant at Wickham Point in Northern Territory.

A final investment decision was made in January last year as part of the long-term development plan for the Bayu Undan gas/condensate project, located in the Timor Sea.

The drilling program consisted of two platform wells and one subsea well connecting into existing offshore infrastructure, Santos said in a statement.

The wells were drilled with the Noble Tom Prosser rig, which has now been contracted by Santos to undertake a 2019 drilling program, including appraisal of the recent Dorado oil discovery offshore Western Australia.

Santos holds an 11.5 percent interest in the Bayu Undan joint venture and the Darwin LNG plant, both operated by ConocoPhillips.

Santos also has a 25 percent interest in the Barossa joint venture, the company’s statement reads.

The Barossa gas field is currently in front-end engineering and design and is the leading candidate to backfill Darwin LNG when Bayu Undan production ceases.

Barossa would more than double Santos’ production in Northern Australia with a final investment decision targeted for late 2019.