Premier updates drilling initiatives offshore Vietnam, Mexico

Premier Oil plans to start a two-well infill drilling programme next month at block 12W offshore Vietnam, to sustain production from the Chim Sáo and Dua fields.

Successful interventions lifted output to an average of 15,500 boe/d during the first half of this year.

Elsewhere, Mauritania’s government continues to review Premier’s decommissioning proposals for the offshore Chinguetti field, where production has declined to 337 b/d as a result of natural decline from the existing wells.

In view of the low oil price and modest cash flows, the partners are looking to cease production from the field by the end of 2017. Work is under way concerning disconnection and demobilisation of the FPSO, and field abandonment work will begin next year.

At Mexico’s offshore block 2 (Premier 10%), the joint venture are considering drilling a well next year, and the company continues to assess opportunities in Mexico’s future licensing rounds.