Development of Sirikit oil field, Thailand
The Sirikit oil field, Thailand's first significant oil find, was discovered in late 1981 by Thai Shell Exploration and Production Company, Ltd., with its second exploration well. After deciding to develop the field (named after Thailand's queen), Thai Shell took only 1 year to design and install the production station, and organize an unconventional evacuation system (road tanker and railway) before oil came on stream in January 1983. A series of facility upgradings kept pace with the production buildup, to a plateau of about 21,000 b/d. The crude oil is waxy (pour point = about 35/sup 0/C), but it is light (40/sup 0/ API) and has an attractive refinery yield. Associated gas is sold to the nearby (specially installed) electricity generating station. Gas compression was commissioned in 1985 to increase utilization of gas, which previously was flared. The agricultural environment dictated the need for cluster drilling of deviated wells, as well as highlighting the importance of good relationships with the local population and authorities. Safety and security are of particular interest. The field is geologically complex, being very faulted in a lacustrine environment and extremely stratified and heterogeneous in reservoir quality. One of two major reservoirs has a gas cap. After some early surprises in delineating the field, a three-dimensional seismic survey was conducted, which better defined the structure and the reserve potential. Nevertheless, parallel appraisal and development continues on a careful step-by-step approach, using the latest production and pressure data to refine the reservoir geologic model. In November 1985, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand became a minority partner, with Shell remaining as operator.
- Research Organization:
- Institute of Petroleum, London, England
- OSTI ID:
- 7005384
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8608105-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 70:7; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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