Oil Search to resume crude oil export

OIL Search expects to return to normal operations this week.
The company announced last Friday that over the past week, it had carried out a comprehensive testing programme of the Kumul Marine Terminal loading system, including an inspection of the tanker loading line in the vicinity of the Kumul platform.
 Oil Search shut the terminal when droplets amounting to about one barrel of crude, were seen on the sea surface last month.
“Physical inspection and analysis of line integrity, including testing at pressures twice the normal operating levels, has, to date, found no source of any leak in the oil export system,” Oil Search said.
“The company has taken an appropriately conservative approach to this incident.
“The intermittent appearance of very small quantities of oil droplets, which are significantly below reportable volumes, will continue to be fully investigated, with further surveys planned in the next few days.
“Should this work confirm present conclusions, Oil Search expects to return to normal operations early next (this) week.
“Oil Search will continue to keep the market informed as progress is made.”
Oil Search’s Papua New Guinea operation was producing about 30,000 barrels a day and typically exporting two cargoes per month before the incident, Ann Diamant, investor relations manager, said in a phone interview.
Two crude tankers are anchored near the terminal, according to data from IHS Inc (IHS) on Bloomberg.
The Singapore Voyager has been in the area since Aug 1, and the Vallombrosa since July 12, the data shows.