Chim Sao
PRODUCTION FACILITY
Facility Name Chim Sao Platform 1 Duty Oil/Gas
Operator Premier Oil Current Status Producing since 2011
Host Type Fixed Platform Water Depth 115 m / 380 ft
Dev.Cost n/a Region Viet nam
 
Location Block 12E, 12W



Facility Name Chim Sao Platform 2 Duty Oil/Gas
Operator Premier Oil Current Status Producing since 2011
Host Type Fixed Platform Water Depth 115 m / 380 ft
Dev.Cost n/a Region Viet nam
 
Location Block 12E



Facility Name Dua Subsea Tieback Duty Oil
Operator Premier Oil Current Status Under Construction since 2011
Host Type Subsea Tieback Water Depth n/a
Dev.Cost n/a Region Viet nam
 
Location 12E



Facility Name Lewek Emas FPSO Duty Oil/Gas
Operator Premier Oil Current Status Producing since 2011
Host Type FPSO Water Depth n/a
Dev.Cost n/a Region Viet nam
 
Location Block 12E
 
OIL & GAS FIELD
Field Name Chim Sao (Blackbird) Discovery Date Nov 2006
Block Block 12E, 12W Reserve Type Oil/Gas
Current
Status
Producing - Under Dev. Production Start
Water Depth 115 m / 380 ft



Field Name Dua Discovery Date Jun 2006
Block 12E Reserve Type n/a
Current
Status
Under Development Production Start
Water Depth n/a
 
 
Description
 
Discovered in 2006, Chim Sao, formerly Blackbird, is located on Block 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125% interest. Partners on the field include Santos (31.875%) and PVEP (15%).

Exploration

The Chim Sao discovery well, (12E-CS-1X), found four oil bearing intervals in the main Middle Dua target, intersecting more than 230 feet (70 meters) of net pay. Two years later, the partners further appraised the field and successfully drilled the Chim Sao North appraisal well. The well was drill stem tested and flowed oil at a sustained rate of 1,650 bopd and 1.4MMcf/d (.04 MMcm/d) on a 40/64-inch choke. The second production test flowed at a rate of 2,680 bopd and 2.1MMcf/d (.06 MMcm/d) on a 48/64-inch choke.

This result led to the well being sidetracked down-dip to delineate the oil/water contact and the extent of the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir. The Chim Sao North well, suspended as a future producer, was appraised to optimize the field's development plan.

Field Development

Once Chim Sao was appraised, a field development plan was submitted to authorities, receiving government approval in April 2008. The first phase of the field development plan includes two wellhead platforms tied-back to the Nexus 1 FPSO. The FPSO will have the capacity to process up to 25-30,000 bbl/d, then offload oil to shuttle tankers. Gas will be exported via a spur and then through PetroVietnam's Nam Con Son 62-mile (100-kilometer) gas pipeline.

BW Offshore submitted a bid to provide both the provision of the FPSO and for an EPCI contract for the surface facilities.

As for the rest of the field development, contractors were selected and work commenced on the field's development. Production commenced on October 10, 2011.

Further Exploration

The partners contracted the Wilboss jackup for a three- to four-well exploration campaign in the first half of 2009 to further appraise the area to find additional oil discoveries that can be tied-back to the Chim Sao development.

The operator is developing the Dua field as a subsea tie-back to the Chim Sao project. In December 2011, the Government of Vietnam approved the outline development plan for the project, and placed orders for the necessary equipment to develop the field. Full production from the field is slated for early December 2014.


 
Activities
 
EOC Bags FPSO Upgrade Project
Date: Oct. 2012
Type: Development Activity
Premier Oil awarded a $15 million contract to EOC Limited in relation to the upgrade of FPSO Lewek EMAS. Under the contract, EOC will provide project management, engineering and procurement services for modifications that are necessary to accommodate a subsea tie-back that will link the vessel to the nearby Dua oil field in Block 12E offshore Vietnam. The Lewek EMAS is currently in operation in the Premier-operated Chim Sao field. Once the project is completed in late 2013, the FPSO will produce both fields. All modifications will be made in the field without taking the vessel offline.
Premier Reaches TD on Chim Sao NW Appraisal Well
Date: Aug. 2012
Type: Development Activity
Premier Oil reported that the Chim Sao North West appraisal well, CS-3X, has reached a total depth of 13,894 feet (4,235 meters). The well has been plugged and abandoned after encountering oil shows in the Middle Dua sands. The appraisal well was drilled to determine whether the Chim Sao North West discovery extended into a separate fault segment to the north. The well targeted the Upper and Middle Dua sands. While 443 feet (135 meters) of sandstone reservoir were penetrated in the Upper Dua interval there was no indication of hydrocarbons. In the Middle Dua interval 541 feet (165 meters) of sands were drilled, but only oil shows were encountered. The CS-N17XP well, which was completed immediately prior to the appraisal well, was drilled to produce from the North West extension to the Chim Sao Field. That well was brought on-stream earlier this month with initial extended production test rates averaging 4,000 barrels of oil per day from four Upper Dua reservoirs.
Premier Oil Moves Forward with Dua Development
Date: May. 2012
Type: Status Update
Premier Oil announced that the Dua project, a tie-in to the Chim Sao field, was formally sanctioned by Premier and Santos in April. It is expected that the necessary Vietnamese government approvals will be received during the second quarter of 2012. In the meantime, bids for FPSO modifications and the drilling rig have been received and are being evaluated. Premier continues to target 2014 for first oil.
Premier to Bring Additional Wells Online at Chim Sao
Date: Apr. 2012
Type: Status Update
Premier Oil reported that by year-end 2011, close to 2 MMboe had been produced from six production wells on the Chim Sao field, which came online in October 2011. An additional three production wells will be available to come on-stream in early 2012 when the four-well water injection system will come online. Furthermore, a well deepened into the Oligocene directly beneath the main field proved an estimated 56 feet (17 meters) of net hydrocarbon-bearing pay, and an additional well to be drilled in early 2012 will accelerate production from a shallow reservoir that has larger reserves than initially estimated. The CS-N2P well, a development production well for the Chim Sao project, intersected the shallow part of a previously undrilled fault terrace to the northwest of the Chim Sao field. The well encountered a 66 feet (20 meter) oil column in an independent closure within good quality Upper Dua sandstones. The plan is to further appraise this new accumulation in 2012 as a near-field tie-back opportunity.
Premier Oil Begins Production at Chim Sao
Date: Oct. 2011
Type: Production Start
Premier Oil has commenced production from the Chim Sao oil project offshore southern Vietnam. Oil production will commence from six wells, and overall production output should plateau at about 25,000 bopd. The field's development consists of a single wellhead platform and an FPSO. Hydrocarbons will be processed on the FPSO with oil being exported via shuttle tankers and the gas by subsea pipeline into existing gas infrastructure. The operator plans to further explore and appraise the development in 2012 in order to add additional resources to the project. Chim Sao is located on Blocks 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125 percent interest.
Premier Anticipates Production Start-Up at Chim Sao Field
Date: Oct. 2011
Type: Operator Update
Premier Oil stated that production from the Chim Sao oil field will commence on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. The Chim Sao development consists of an FPSO, a wellhead platform, and a subsea pipeline system to transport hydrocarbons, export gas, and inject water. Oil will transport to the Lewak Emas FPSO, with a processing capacity of 50,000 bopd, where it will be processed, stored and exported via tankers. Gas will then export to shore for power generation in order to meet domestic demand. Oil output is expected to plateau at 25,000 bopd and gas production at 25 MMcf/d. Chim Sao is located on Blocks 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125% interest.
Premier Oil Intersects Undrilled Fault Terrace in Chim Sao Field
Date: Aug. 2011
Type: Status Update
Premier Oil stated that well CS-N2P, a development production well for the Chim Sao project, has intersected the shallow part of a previously undrilled fault terrace to the northwest of the Chim Sao field. The well encountered a 66-foot (20-meter) oil column in an independent closure within good quality Upper Dua sandstones. Premier plans to appraise this new accumulation as a near-field tie-back opportunity via the CS-N1P development well, through which wire-line logs and fluid samples will be acquired. Results are expected in October. Chim Sao is located on Blocks 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125% interest.
Chim Sao to Come Online in August
Date: Jul. 2011
Type: Status Update
Premier Oil announced that the Chim Sao project remains on schedule with first oil expected in August 2011. On July 1, the FPSO moved from the Keppel yard to its offshore anchorage where deepwater commissioning and trials were completed. The FPSO is now on tow to the Chim Sao field for the installation of the umbilicals that will connect it to the production wells. Chim Sao is located on Blocks 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125% interest.
Chim Sao Development Continues
Date: May. 2011
Type: Development Activity
Premier Oil stated developmental drilling is progressing at Chim Sao and first oil is now planned for August 2011. Furthermore, the development concept for the Dua field, which will be tied-back to Chim Sao, continues to be refined. Front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies are complete. Chim Sao is located on Block 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125% interest.
Premier Targeting First Oil from Chim Sao in July
Date: Jan. 2011
Type: Status Update
Premier Oil stated its Chim Sao project remains on schedule to commence production on July 1, 2011. The conversion of the field's FPSO was around 85% complete at year-end, and the facility is expected to leave Singapore in mid-April. Chim Sao is located on Block 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125% interest. Partners on the field include Santos (31.875%) and PVEP (15%).
Premier Targets First Oil from Chim Sao in 2Q11
Date: Jul. 2010
Type: Status Update
Premier Oil reported that its Chim Sao project in Vietnam remains on schedule to commence production in July 2011. The gas export pipeline was installed and tie-in of subsea lines and manifolds is underway. Later this month, the topsides will be installed while the FPSO conversions are proceeding as planned, with sail away scheduled for the first quarter of 2011. Chim Sao is located on Block 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field, holding a 53.125% interest. Partners on the field include Santos (31.875%) and PVEP (15%).
Premier Oil Awards FPSO Contract for the Chim Sao Project
Date: Feb. 2010
Type: Contract Award
Ezra Holdings, EOC Limited, PetroVietnam and KSI Production entered into an agreement to create a joint venture company for the supply of an FPSO for the Chim Sao project in Vietnam - a project estimated to be worth as much as $1 billion. As part of the JV arrangement, Ezra will provide the Lewek Emas oil tanker to be converted into the FPSO, and the finished vessel will have the capacity to produce up to 50,000 bopd and store 680,000 barrels of oil. Production of the project is slated to commence in the second quarter of 2011. Chim Sao, formerly Blackbird, is located on Block 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. Premier serves as the operator of the oil and gas field with a 53.125% interest and partners on the field with Santos (31.875%) and PVEP (15%).
Saipem to Install Chim Sao Platform
Date: Dec. 2009
Type: Contract Award
Saipem will install one wellhead platform at the Chim Sao field offshore Vietnam. Other operations include detailed engineering for infield pipelines and the installation of subsea pipelines, umbilicals and PLEMs. The Lewek Emas will be converted from an oil tanker into an FPSO with a production capacity of up to 50,000 bopd. Production from the field is expected to commence mid-2011. The Chim Sao project formerly Blackbird, is located on Block 12W and 12E in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, around 248 miles (400 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, offshore Vietnam. The first phase of the field development plan includes two wellhead platforms tied-back to an FPSO with production commencing in mid-2011.
Premier Picks Up Additional Stake in Vietnam's Nam Con Son Basin
Date: Jul. 2009
Type: Acreage Acquisition
Premier signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement and completed the acquisition from Delek Energy Systems Ltd, the holding company, for its 25% interest in Block 12W in the Nam Con Son Basin, offshore Vietnam. Premier is the Operator of the Block, and is progressing the development of the Chim Sáo field, containing approximately 50 MMboe of oil and gas, which is expected to come onstream at a rate of 25,000 boepd in late 2010 or early 2011. Following completion of both Premier's acquisition from Delek and the PVEP back-in, the interests in Block 12W will be, Premier 53.125% (Operator), Santos 31.875% and PVEP 15%.
BW Offshore Nearing Finalization of FPSO Contract in Vietnam
Date: Apr. 2009
Type: Development Activity
BW Offshore reports that it is working on a private placement for the Nexus 1 FPSO. Premier Oil tapped the company for the FPSO on the Chim Sao field offshore Vietnam, but the agreement is dependent on BW securing funding for the vessel. An oil and gas field, Chim Sao is currently under development, which includes two production platforms, this FPSO and a subsea gas export pipeline, with production planned for mid-2010.
 
Status History
 
Dua Subsea Tieback

Under Construction - 2011 to -
Lewek Emas FPSO

Producing - Oct 10, 2011 to -
Under Construction - Apr 2009 to Oct 09, 2011
Premier Oil has signed an LOU with BW Offshore for the provision of the Nexus 1 FPSO for the Chim Sao field offshore Vietnam. BW is currently securing financing for the vessel, and once that has been secured, the FPSO contract will be finalized.
Chim Sao Platform 1

Producing - Oct 10, 2011 to -
Oil production will commence from six wells, and overall production output should plateau at about 25,000 bopd.
Chim Sao Platform 2

Producing - Oct 10, 2011 to -
Chim Sao Platform 1

Under Construction - May 2008 to Oct 09, 2011
Approved by the Vietnamese government in May 2008, development on Chim Sao oil and gas field includes two wellhead platforms, an FPSO and a gas export pipeline.
Chim Sao Platform 2

Under Construction - May 2008 to Oct 09, 2011
Approved by the Vietnamese government in May 2008, development on Chim Sao oil and gas field includes two wellhead platforms, an FPSO and a gas export pipeline.
Chim Sao (Blackbird)

Producing - Under Dev. - Oct 10, 2011 to -
Under Development - May 2008 to Oct 09, 2011
The Vietnamese government approved the final field development plan in May 2008 and steel cutting on the project started in August 2008. Chim Sao development will include two wellhead platforms tied to an FPSO, as well as a gas export pipeline.
Appraisal Drilling - May 20, 2008 to May 21, 2008
The Chim Sao North appraisal well (12W-CS-2X) was drilled and tested two reservoir zones in the Middle Dua sand sequence. The first zone tested at a rate of 1,650 bopd and 1.4 MMcf/d, and the second zone tested at a sustained rate of 2,680 bopd and 2.1 MMcf/d.
Discovery (Drilled) - Nov 16, 2006 to Nov 17, 2006
Located offshore Vietnam on Block 12E, the Chim Sao oil field (formerly called Blackbird) was discovered in November 2006. The discovery well was drilled to a TD of 4,058 meters and intersected 70 meters of net pay in four oil-bearing intervals in the main Middle Dua target.
Dua

Under Development - 2011 to -
The Dua field will be developed as a tie-back to Chim Sáo. The company is targeting full production in early 2014.
Appraisal Drilling - Sep 21, 2006 to Dec 2006
Well Dua-5X intersected multiple gas and oil reservoirs in the southern fault block of the Dua structure. Wireline testing of Dua-5X recovered oil samples and pressure data to help define the quantity and quality of hydrocarbons within the southern fault block of the Dua structure.
Discovery (Drilled) - Jun 30, 2006 to Sep 2006
Premier has drilled well Dua-4X down-flank from the 1974 Dua-1X discovery well, a well that flowed 1,500 barrels of oil per day. Following the intersection of hydrocarbons in the Dua 4X vertical well, a sidetrack has been drilled (Dua-4X ST1) to provide further geological information. Wireline testing of both Dua-4X and Dua-4X ST1 recovered oil samples and core and pressure data to help define the quantity and quality of hydrocarbons within the northern flank of the Dua structure.
Discovery (Drilled) - 1974 to Jun 29, 2006
 
Project Map Asia - SouthEast
Line Separator
Project Image
Block 12 E
 
Basins Offshore Vietnam
 
Location of Nam Con Son Basin