Oil Search back online in Hela after quake stoppage

Business

OIL Search has announced the resumption of operations at the company’s central processing facility (CPF) in Hela since its closure in February after the earthquake.
The company has commenced oil production from a number of Kutubu oil field wells at an initial rate of about 4000 barrels of oil per day.
This follows a detailed assessment of all Oil Search-operated infrastructure, including the processing equipment, storage tanks and flowlines at the CPF, and minor remedial work to ensure the facility’s integrity.
Oil production from the Kutubu complex fields is expected to be brought back online progressively during April now that the CPF is operational.
The Oil Search-operated condensate handling facilities at the CPF and liquids export pipeline, which are integral to the operation of the PNG LNG Project, are also ready to receive, store and export condensate once the project recommences gas production.
Oil Search’s managing director Peter Botten accredited the resuming operations in just over month as result of competent personnel and the quality of its facilities.
“The resumption of safe, reliable and sustainable operations in PNG remains a key priority for Oil Search,” he said.
“The recommencement of operations at the CPF and oil production at Kutubu, just over a month after the main earthquake struck is a testament not only to the robustness of the facility but also the remarkable efforts of our personnel in the field, who continue to address the challenge of restoring camps and production at our other operated facilities.
“There is still a lot of work ahead of us, but I would like to thank them once again for their resilience, professionalism and commitment over the last month.”
Revised 2018 guidance for production as well as operating and capital costs will be provided when Oil Search reports its 2018 first quarter results on April 17.