Zawtika

Zawtika Gas Project Profile

Location

The Zawtika Gas Project is located offshore in the Gulf of Martaban, Myanmar, within blocks M9 and M11. The exact coordinates are approximately 14.42, 95.006 (WGS 84).

Operator and Ownership

The project is operated by the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production International (PTTEP International), which holds an 80% interest. The remaining 20% is held by Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).

Discovery and Geology

The Zawtika, Kakonna, and Gawthaka fields were discovered in 2007 through several exploration wells. The fields consist of biogenic gas formations, with reservoirs of Miocene-Pliocene Delta Front sandstones at depths of 750m to 1,580m, and shallower reservoirs in the Pleistocene strata at depths of 500m.

• Zawtika Field: Discovered by the Zawtika-1 well, which hit seven significant gas reservoirs.
• Gawthaka Field: Discovered by the Gawthaka-1 well, drilled to a depth of 3,380m.
• Kakonna Field: Discovered by the Kakonna-1 well, indicating a link between the northern and southern parts of Block M9.

Drilling and Appraisal

PTTEP drilled seven exploration wells in Block M9 in 2007:

• Zawtika-1: Encountered seven gas zones.
• Zawtika-2: Drilled to 3,500m, encountered six gas zones, and flowed at 109.5 MMscf/d.
• Zawtika-3: Drilled to 2,274m, encountered eight hydrocarbon zones, and flowed at 26.7 MMscf/d.
• Zawtika-4: Drilled to 2,390m, flowed at 71.1 MMscf/d from two zones.
• Zawtika-5: Encountered seven gas zones and flowed at 38.36 MMscf/d. In 2010, PTTEP drilled two appraisal wells and one exploration well.

Project Development

The project is being developed in phases:

• Phase 1A: Included the installation of the ZPQ processing platform, a living quarters module, and three wellhead platforms (WP1, WP2, and WP3). It also involved the installation of intra-field sealines, offshore and onshore gas export pipelines, an onshore operating centre (ZOC), block valves, and a metering station.
• Phase 1B: Involved the engineering, design, construction, and installation of four wellhead platforms and the laying of four submarine pipelines.
• Phase 1C: Included the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of wellhead platforms, pipelines, and tie-ins, along with brownfield modifications of existing platforms and the installation of telecommunication and control systems.
• Phase 1D: Currently in progress, this phase includes the installation of eight remote wellhead platforms, the drilling of eight new remote extraction wells (ZWP12 to ZWP19), and associated pipelines with two pipeline end manifolds. This phase is expected to be commissioned in 2025.

Production and Export

The project started delivering natural gas for domestic use in Myanmar in March 2014 at a rate of approximately 60 MMscf/d. In August 2014, it began exporting natural gas to Thailand at a rate of 240 MMscf/d. Currently, about 80% of the produced natural gas is exported to Thailand through a 28-inch diameter, 300-km-long pipeline (230 km offshore and 70 km onshore).

Reserves and Production

The Zawtika project is estimated to contain around two trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. The current production rate is significant, with the project accounting for approximately 23% of Myanmar's daily gas output. Peak production is expected in 2030, and production is anticipated to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2063.

Infrastructure

Key infrastructure includes:

• Processing Platform: ZPQ processing platform integrated with a living quarters module.
• Wellhead Platforms: Multiple wellhead platforms, including WP1, WP2, WP3, and additional remote wellhead platforms.
• Pipelines: Subsea pipelines (21 km long with an 18-inch diameter) and a 300-km-long gas export pipeline to Thailand.
• Onshore Facilities: An onshore operating centre (ZOC), block valves, and a metering station.

Contractors and Partners

Key contractors involved in the project include:

• PTTEP International: Operator.
• MOGE: Co-owner.
• Other Contractors: Companies like Uzma have been involved in various stages of the project.

Economic and Strategic Impact

The Zawtika project is crucial for both Myanmar and Thailand, contributing significantly to Myanmar's gas production and Thailand's gas imports. The project has been a major investment, valued at approximately $2 billion, and plays a vital role in the energy sector of the region.