Maharaja Lela-Jamalulalam

Maharaja Lela-Jamalulalam Oil and Gas Field Profile

The Maharaja Lela-Jamalulalam Oil and Gas Field is located offshore in Block B of the Balam Delta, Brunei, approximately 50 kilometers northeast of the Brunei coastline. The field is situated in shallow water with a depth of about 62 meters (or 203 feet).
The reservoirs are at a total depth of around 5,200 meters and are characterized by high temperature and high pressure, requiring advanced production and treatment processes.

The field is operated by TotalEnergies, with ownership shared among TotalEnergies (37.5%), Shell (35%), and Petroleum Brunei (PB Expro) (27.5%).

The field was discovered in 1989, and production started in 1990, although some sources indicate production began in 1997.
The field produces both oil and gas, with significant gas reserves. As of 2006, the field produced approximately 2.01 million barrels of oil per year and 11,497.5 million cubic meters of gas per year.
The current production rate is around 28,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).

The field includes two production wellhead platforms, MLJ-1 and MLJ-2, connected by a 2.5 km / 12” sea pipeline. There is also an 85 km / 18” sea pipeline connecting MLJ-1 to the Onshore Processing Plant (OPP).
Onshore facilities include a slugcatcher for receiving well fluids, separation of gas and liquids, and processing to remove mercury and CO2. The gas is then delivered to the Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas (BLNG) facility for export. Liquids are processed to separate and stabilize condensate and water, which are then delivered to the Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Seria Crude Oil Terminal (SCOT).

The Maharaja Lela Jamalulalam South (MLJS) expansion project aims to double the production of the Brunei LNG plant. This project involves three engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) packages, including the expansion of the existing treatment plant, the installation of a new wellhead platform (MLJS-3), and the connection to export pipelines.
The MLJS project includes the construction of a new onshore gas central processing facility (CPF) with a capacity of 5.7 million cubic meters per day of gas. The wellhead platform will support 12 new slots and is part of Brunei's localization policy, with the jacket to be constructed in a new shipyard in Brunei.

Key contractors involved in the project include Technip (for the onshore processing plant and pipeline construction), Vallourec (for the supply of premium pipes), and SapuraAcergy (for subsea services).
Nesma Holding is also involved as the main EPC contractor for certain aspects of the field development.

As of 2021, the remaining recoverable gas reserves were estimated at 5,040.35 million cubic meters.
The field has recovered approximately 93.33% of its total recoverable reserves, with peak production in 2017. Production is expected to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2034, currently accounting for about 6% of Brunei's daily oil and gas output.

The field faces technical challenges due to the high temperature and high pressure of the reservoirs, requiring specialized production and treatment processes.
The MLJS expansion project is expected to enhance production capabilities and support Brunei's strategy to expand and diversify its economy, including increasing its role as a hub for processing oil and gas for the Asian market.