ROC: Bentara-3 Well Hits Hydrocarbons (Malaysia)

ROC advises that BC Petroleum Sdn Bhd (“BCP”), the company incorporated to operate and manage the Balai Cluster Risk Service Contract (“RSC”) in Malaysia, has drilled the Bentara-3 well to a total depth (TD) of 3,043 metres TVDSS. 

Bentara-3 is the fifth and final well in the current pre-development drilling phase and is located in the Balai Cluster, offshore Eastern Malaysia. The well reached its current TD at 16.00 hours (Malaysian time) on 28 May 2013.

Initial assessment based on preliminary logging results indicates estimated net hydrocarbon pay of approximately 91 metres across 18 sandstone reservoir intervals. The Bentara-3 pre-development well is located approximately one kilometre from Bentara-2 and confirms the northern and eastern extents of hydrocarbons in the Bentara field. The well is being cased and completed in preparation for extended well testing with the Early Production Vessel (“EPV”) Balai Mutiara.

Following completion of Bentara-3, the rig will be demobilised to Singapore. The next activity in the pre-development program is to test the completed wells with the EPV. Extended well tests (“EWT”) will provide additional data regarding reservoir deliverability and continuity, as well  as hydrocarbon quality. The EPV has departed Singapore and is expected to enter the field to commence commissioning operations in June. On the successful completion of commissioning operations, the EPV is expected to commence EWT operations at the Balai field.

The Balai Cluster RSC consists of four fields: Balai, Bentara, West Acis and Spaoh. The pre-development drilling phase commenced in 2012 has now been completed. On successful completion of the pre-development program and agreement on the economic viability of the fields, BCP proposes to submit plans for development of the appraised area. Shareholders of BCP are ROC (48%), Dialog Group (32%) and PETRONAS Carigali (20%).