Santos agrees next drilling campaign for Bayu-Undan field

Australia's Santos announced a final investment decision for the US$235 million Phase 3C infill drilling programme at the Bayu-Undan field in the Timor Sea, offshore Timor-Leste.

The programme comprises three production wells (two platform and one subsea) and will develop additional natural gas and liquids reserves, extending field life as well as production from the offshore facilities and the Darwin LNG plant.

Sanction of the project comes less than seven months after Santos became operator of the Bayu-Undan Joint Venture following completion of the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ northern Australia and Timor-Leste assets.

The wells will be drilled using the Noble Tom Prosser jack-up rig, with the first well scheduled to spud in 2Q 2021, and production from the first well expected in 3Q 2021.

Santos managing director and chief executive officer Kevin Gallagher said: “We are delighted to be able to pursue an opportunity that wasn’t on the table 12 months ago, which will optimise field recovery, extend production and deliver significant value to both the Bayu-Undan Joint Venture and the people of Timor-Leste."

“This infill drilling program adds over 20 million barrels of oil equivalent gross reserves and production at a low of cost of supply and extends the life of Bayu-Undan, reducing the period that Darwin LNG is offline before the Barossa project comes on stream,” Gallagher added.

Santos currently has a 68.4 per cent interest and operatorship in Bayu-Undan and Darwin LNG which will reduce to 43.4 per cent upon completion of a 25 per cent sell down to SK E&S.