ConocoPhillips to restart some China Penglai oil wells to reduce
pressure
Singapore (Platts)--12Sep2011/528 am EDT/928 GMT
ConocoPhillips will restart a number of wells at the Penglai 19-3 oil
field in China's Bohai Bay to discharge fluid from the reservoir and
reduce reservoir pressure, CNOOC Ltd said in a statement published on
Monday.
The "depressurization" and "sealing" plans to reduce reservoir pressure
and seal seep sources submitted by ConocoPhillips require approvals from
China National Offshore Oil Corp. -- CNOOC's state-owned parent company.
"The general principle for depressurization established in the Plan is
to discharge fluid and reduce pressure from the wells located at the
high pressure zones or near the natural fault," CNOOC said.
"The [sealing plan] outlines measures to drill wells intended to
provide additional sealing barriers and to reduce pressure in targeted
zones," ConocoPhillips said in a statement on its website.
Under the sealing plan, ConocoPhillips will carry out drilling
activities and other related operations on six wells in the area of
platforms B and C, as additional measures for sealing seep sources.
The latest steps are not an indication of a resumption of normal
operations, the US company said.
"We are implementing a plan, as directed by [the] authorities, to
[depressurize] and safeguard the reservoir," it said.
Earlier this month, the State Oceanic Administration ordered a complete
shutdown of production at the Penglai 19-3 oil field and said that it
will make claims against the US oil major for damage to the marine
environment due to an oil spill.
ConocoPhillips is the operator of the field, with a 49% interest, while
CNOOC holds the majority 51% stake.
--Calvin Lee,
calvin_lee@platts.com
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