Oil Search happy with progress at Gulf site

 OIL Search managing director Peter Botten says work is currently in progress for the development of the gas resource in Elk/Antelope (PRL 15) project in Gulf.

He said drilling operations in the Elk/Antelope fields in Gulf have continued on the Antelope 4 well to evaluate the southern extent of the field while Antelope 5 reached total depth, encountering gas carbonate reservoir broadly in line with prognosis.

“Preliminary planning work on a third appraisal well, Antelope 6 and an exploration well, Antelope South (formerly known as Antelope Deep), also progressed,” Botten said.

“Funding for both wells has now been approved by the PRL 15 Joint Venture.”

He added that reparations are also underway for a planned extended well test.

Commenting in the company’s first quarter results, Botten said Oil Search’s focus in the Elk/Antelope fields would place the company in a good position to be involved in the PNG LNG development.

“Gas commercialisation activities in the North-West Highlands and Gulf Province in PNG also continued. 

“With our interests in both the P’nyang field and the Elk/Antelope fields, Oil Search is particularly well positioned to participate in the next phase of LNG development in PNG.”

Oil Search’s joint venture partner in the Elk/Antelope project, Total SA managing director Philippe Blanchard, said this year they intend to select different locations of the facilities to be constructed for the project.