PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Oil Search has restarted production at its Central Processing Facility (CPF) in Papua New Guinea, following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in February.
Oil Search said on Tuesday that production has started from a number of Kutubu oil field wells, at an initial rate of around 4 000 bbl/d.
The restart of operations follows a detailed assessment of all Oil Search-operated infrastructure, the company said, including the processing equipment, storage tanks and flowlines at the CPF, and minor remedial work to ensure the facility’s integrity.
“The resumption of safe, reliable and sustainable operations in Papua New Guinea remains a key priority for Oil Search. The recommencement of operations at CFP and oil production at Kutubu, just over a month after the main earthquake struck, is a testament not only to the robustness of the facility, but also the remarkable efforts of our personnel in the field, who continue to address the challenges of restoring camps and production at our other operated facilities,” said Oil Search MD Peter Botten.
Rehabilitation work to restore the Oil Search-operated Ridge camp, to support the return of production personnel to the Central Processing and Agogo facilities, remains ongoing.
Oil Search has meanwhile told shareholders that a revised production guidance will be provided during the company’s first quarter results, in April.