North Pailin

North Pailin Oil and Gas Field Profile

Location

The North Pailin Oil and Gas Field is located offshore in the Gulf of Thailand, specifically within the concession blocks B12/27 and G7/50. The field is situated in shallow water with a depth of approximately 217 feet.

Coordinates

The approximate coordinates for the field are 8.615, 101.55 (WGS 84).

Project Details

• Status: The North Pailin Oil and Gas Field is currently operating.
• Operator: The field is operated by PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), although Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. (CTEP) also plays a significant role in its operation.
• Ownership:
  • PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP): 45.0%
  • Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. (CTEP): 35.0%
  • PTTEP SP Limited: 15.0%
  • MOECO Thai Oil Development Co., Ltd.: 5.0%.

Discovery and Production

• Discovery Year: The exact discovery year is not specified, but exploration drilling began in 1996, with the seventh successful well drilled in February 1997.
• Production Start Year: Production from the field's Phase I development began in August 1999, and Phase II development started later.
• Production Rates:
  • The field produces natural gas at rates up to 330 MMcf/d (million cubic feet per day) following the completion of Phase II development. Peak production rates during commissioning reached as high as 230 MMcf/d.
  • Condensate production is approximately 6,800 b/d (barrels per day) from Phase II, bringing the total condensate production to more than 15,300 b/d.

Reserves

• Condensate Reserves:
  • 1P (Proven) reserves: 8.34 million bbl (2019), reduced to 6.12 million bbl (2021).
• Gas Reserves:
  • 1P reserves: 7,849.64 million m³ (2019), reduced to 6,384.82 million m³ (2021).
  • Remaining Reserves: 16,395.3 million m³ (2021).
• Oil Reserves: Minimal, with 1P reserves of 0.01 million bbl in both 2019 and 2021.

Cumulative Production

• Condensate: 48.17 million bbl (2019), increased to 51.85 million bbl (2021).
• Gas: 35,451.51 million m³ (2019), increased to 39,147.1 million m³ (2021).

Infrastructure

• The field is supported by 11 wellhead platforms and two processing platforms installed by Unocal (now part of Chevron's operations).
• The North Pailin Central Processing Platform (NPCPP) is a key facility for processing gas and condensate.

Investment

• The development of the Pailin field has exceeded $820 million.

Production Outlook

• As of the latest data, the field has recovered approximately 59.39% of its total recoverable reserves. Production is expected to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2055.

Economic and Social Impact

• The field contributes significantly to Thailand's energy security, providing a substantial portion of the country's natural gas. It currently accounts for about 8% of Thailand's daily gas output.
• The production from the North Pailin field supports power generation and other industrial uses, contributing to Thailand's economic and social development.

Operational Management

• The field is managed through an Integrated Operations Center (IOC) in Bangkok, which consolidates control rooms for several offshore operating areas, including Benchamas, North Pailin, and South Pailin fields. This allows for real-time collaboration between onshore and offshore personnel.