Oz Santos Completes Bayu Undan Programme

Australian Santos December 3 announced first gas from the third and final well of the Bayu Undan infill well programme in Timor Sea.

A final investment decision (FID) was made in January last year as part of the long-term development plan for the Bayu Undan gas/condensate project. The drilling program consisted of two platform wells and one subsea well connecting into existing offshore infrastructure. The delivery of the whole project was under budget and ahead of schedule, Santos said.

The wells were drilled with the Noble Tom Prosser rig, which has now been contracted by Santos to undertake a 2019 drilling programme, including appraisal of the recent Dorado oil discovery offshore Western Australia.

Santos holds an 11.5% interest in the Bayu Undan joint venture and the Darwin LNG plant, both operated by ConocoPhillips.

Santos also has a 25% interest in the Barossa joint venture. The Barossa gas field is currently in front end engineering and design (Feed) and is the leading candidate to backfill Darwin LNG when Bayu Undan production ceases, Santos said. Barossa would more than double Santos' production in Northern Australia with a FID targeted for late 2019, it added.