Valeura Energy has reported an oil discovery near its Manora field in the Gulf of Thailand and completed a drilling campaign on the Jasmine field.
The company said that the Manora-9 exploration well and associated sidetracks encountered oil accumulations about 4.5 kilometres northeast of the Manora A platform.
Drilling on the E prospect encountered oil across a gross column of 626 feet (190.8 metres), including 162 feet (49.4 metres) of net oil pay. The adjacent D prospect intersected a gross column of 849 feet (258.8 metres), with 172 feet (52.4 metres) of net oil pay.
A third sidetrack targeting a shallower play did not encounter hydrocarbons. Valeura said, however, that geological mapping and pressure data indicated the target fault blocks could be filled to their spill point.
“The results for net pay encountered exceed our pre-drill estimates and is likely to justify a new satellite facility development on the block,” said president and chief executive officer Dr Sean Guest.
Valeura said development of the new Suraphi field could also enable development of the nearby Malida field and extend the operating life of the Manora production infrastructure.
Separately, four wells completed across the Jasmine-C and Jasmine-D platforms increased production from the Jasmine field from approximately 7,570 barrels per day to 8,250 barrels per day.
The Borr Mist rig is scheduled to be demobilised, with drilling due to resume in November using the chartered Shelf Drilling Enterprise on the Nong Yao and Wassana fields.