Malaysia starts pumping oil at Gumusut field - sources

• Gumusut crude output to reach 25,000 bpd by end 2012
• To blend Gumusut crude with Kikeh for sale until export terminal ready
• Gumusut output to hit full 135,000 bpd in 2013-2014 on construction delay

By Florence Tan

SINGAPORE, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Malaysia has started pumping oil from the Gumusut deepwater oilfield offshore Sabah, with an initial output of 10,000 barrels per day (bpd), sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Gumusut, operated by Royal Dutch Shell and discovered in March 2004, is expected help Malaysia reverse its declining output and boost the country's oil revenue, but its start up has been dogged by construction delays.

Crude output at Gumusut, located off the eastern state of Sabah in Block J, is expected to reach 25,000 bpd by the end of this year, said the sources, who declined to be identified due to company policy on speaking to the media.

Gumusut will be blended with Kikeh for sale in Asia as its output is currently tied to Kikeh's production platform in neighbouring Block K, they said.

This could change Kikeh's crude quality, one source said. Murphy Oil operates the 120,000 bpd Kikeh field.

Gumusut production will reach the full 135,000 bpd in 2013-2014, put back from 2011, as construction of the floating production facility for the field has taken longer than expected.

Crude exports directly from the Gumusut field will also depend on when the new terminal at Kimanis, Sabah, is completed, the sources said.

Shell and ConocoPhillips each has a 33 percent stake in the project. Petronas holds 20 percent and Murphy Oil 14 percent. Shell and Petronas did not reply to e-mails seeking comment.

Malaysia's crude output slipped in 2011 to below 600,000 bpd for the first time in at least 10 years, data from the BP Statistical Review of World Energy showed. To arrest the decline, Malaysia is embarking on projects that will coax more oil out of matured fields.

Shell signed an agreement with Petronas in November that could add 90,000 to 100,000 bpd of oil production and extend the life of the Baram Delta and North Sabah fields to beyond 2040.

Exxon Mobil is working with Petronas to improve oil recovery at Malaysia's flagship Tapis field, where output has fallen by more than half from its peak in the 1990s, in addition to new exploration and development projects.

Petronas Carigali Ties Up With MIT Innovation To Develop Cost-Saver Drilling Tool

Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, a subsidary of Petronas, has signed a technology collaboration agreement with MIT Innovation Sdn Bhd for the development of a cost-saver drilling tool.

Datuk Mohd Annuar Taib, Petronas Carigali president and Petronas development and production chief executive officer, said the new invention, known as intelligent circulation while drilling (ICWD) tool, would significantly reduce drilling cost in the challenging upstream exploration and development environments.

"Usage of the tool is expected to save more than RM150 million in drilling cost per year in Malaysia as the upstream operations move into new and increasingly harsh and challenging drilling territories," he said in a statement today.

He said the tool is being designed to safeguard complex equipment commonly used in today's drilling operations.

It will help drillers cure losses encountered in difficult wells and allow for continuous drilling operations without the limitations of the current technologies, he added.

-- BERNAMA

Lundin scores hat-trick with Sabah gas find

Sweden’s Lundin Petroleum has made a third gas find at its block off Sabah, Malaysia, with the Berangan-1 well.

Drilled to a depth of 1709 metres in around 70 metres water depth by the West Courageous rig, the well penetrated a gross gas column of more than 165 metres in the target mid-Miocene aged sands.

The find was made 10 kilometres southeast of the Tarap discovery and 15 kilometres south of the Cempulut discovery, all in the SB303 block where Lundin holds a 75% stake with partner Petronas on 25%.

Chief executive Ashley Heppenstall said Lundin's trio of finds at SB303 - together with the Titik Terang find previously uncovered by Shell at the block but never developed - represented “a clear opportunity to evaluate the potential for a gas cluster development”.

The Swedish independent said that further tests would determine resource estimates, but that data acquired already pointed to a single continuous gas column at Berangan-1.

The rig will next move to offshore Peninsula Malaysia for a three-well campaign, starting with Merawan Batu-1 in the PM308B block.

Earlier this summer, the explorer tasted dust with another probe off Malaysia, Tiga Papan 5, at blocks SB307 and SB308.

Lundin Petroleum is a Swedish independent with assets primarily located in Europe and South East Asia, including six blocks off Malaysia. The company is listed on the NASDAQ OMX and in Stockholm and Toronto.

Today's jobs update[13-Sept-12]

Vacancies Needed to be filled on Immediate Basis ( Contract )

Mechanical Piping Engineer
-          Min 5 years in design of pressure vessel for oil and gas industry in accordance with ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1&2, preferably including fitness-for-service calculation. 

Construction Supervisor.
-          Certificate or Diploma in Engineering
-          8 Years experience in the fabrication of oil & gas facilities, modules, chemical plants construction.

Cost Engineer ( controller/ project accountant )
-          Degree in any discipline 
-          5 years experience in accounting with at least 2 years in oil and gas project accounting and project control

Project Control Engineer
-          Degree in engineering
-          Relevant experience or 10 + years experience in the oil and gas industry
-          Min 5 years in project control ( cost control and some schedule control achievement )
-          Upstream/pipeline/ offshore engineering, procurement, and construction experience.
-          Proficient in microsoft office suite of software programmes, lotus notes etc.
-          Read, write, speak, and present in fluent English, specifically associated with technical and business communication. 

Safety Engineer ( project safety advisor )
-          Degree
-          Demonstrated work experience in construction safety-related positions
-          Thorough knowledge of safety standards, codes, and practice
-          Safety related experience with facilities fabrication, construction, transportation, and pre – commissioning as appropriate for specific projects.
-          Preferred working knowledge of safety management practices, processes and expectation
-          Proficient in use of computers and programs such as Microsoft office and lotus notes
-          Read, write, and speak fluent English

Offshore Installation Engineer
-          Min 4 years working exp in oil & gas
-          2 years working exp onboard construction barges
-          Knowledgeable pipe laying subsea cable installation, jacket and topside installation.
-          Knowledge in riser clamp & riser guard fabrication, general ROV & diving operation
-          Prior working experience as ExxonMobil offshore installation engineer is an added advantage. 

Please sent your resume to arif@cekaptechnical.com or waida@cekaptechnical.com and state your prefer position in the subject. For enquiries, you can sent email to that above email as well.

Australian Roc Oil rolling on Balai Cluster appraisal effort

Australian independent Roc Oil has kicked off drilling of the first probe in a multi-well appraisal programme on the Balai Cluster off Malaysia as the partners prepare the way for the four-field development.

The Bentara 2 well, with a target depth of 2750 metres, was spudded on Tuesday as part of the pre-development phase launched by operating consortium BC Petroleum earlier this year for the Balai, Bentara, West Acis and Spaoh fields that make up the cluster off Sarawak.

Drilling work is being carried out from the first of four tarpons to be installed under the preliminary phase, which is expected to be completed early next year.

A decision whether to move forward on full field development is likely to be made next year, conditional on successful completion of appraisal work and the economic viability of the project, after which a development plan would be submitted.

Partners in BC Petroleum, which operates the Balai Cluster risk service contract, are Roc with 48%, Dialog Group on 32% and Petronas Carigali with 20%.

SapuraAcergy wins Gulf of Mexico gig

A joint venture between Malaysia’s SapuraKencana and subsea engineering company Subsea 7 has been awarded a $45 million contract for the charter of the Sapura 3000 deep-water heavy lift and pipelay vessel.

The charter, which commenced on 18 August, was awarded to SapuraAcergy by Construcciones Maritimas Mexicanas and will run for a duration of 125 days.

SapuraKencana said on Tuesday the contract would see the Sapura 3000 carry out heavy lifts in the Gulf of Mexico region.

It added that it expected the award to contribute positively towards its earnings for the financial year ending 31 January 2013.

Petronas Gas, Sabah Energy Corp Ink Shareholders Agreement On Regas Terminal

Petronas Gas Bhd has entered into a shareholders agreement with Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd, which will see the latter subscribing to one ordinary share of RM1,000 each in Regas Terminal (Lahad Datu) Sdn Bhd (RGT).

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, Petronas Gas said the agreement further provides option for Sabah Energy Corp to subscribe for up to 20 per cent equity in RGT within a stipulated time period.

The option for the subscription is up to 12 months of the commercial operation date of the facilities, failing which, the subscribed share by Sabah Energy Corp up to the said date as well as the right to subscribe to the 20 per cent equity will revert back to Petronas Gas.

RGT, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petronas Gas, is currently a dormant company that was incorporated to undertake the construction and development of the liquefied natural gas regasification facilities in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

The facilities are expected to be completed in 2015 and will have a send out capacity of 0.76 million tonnes per annum.

-- BERNAMA

Today's jobs update [11-Sept-12]

Dear All,

Velosi ‘s finding the candidate of inspector in many positions as below list to work with Carigali Hess who is carrying out several new development for both Greenfield and Brownfied projects
- The current location is at CUEL Limited Construction Yard Laem Chabang Port but it may be located at other yards in Thailand
- It partly begin in end 2012 with staggered completion until 2016.
- 4 years contract, Full time at onshore yard.

Positions:
- Senior General Inspector
- Senior Mechanical Inspector
- Mechanical Inspector
- Senior Piping Inspector
- Piping Inspector
- Senior structural Inspector
- Structural Inspector
- Senior Electrical Inspector
- Senior Instrument Inspector
- Instrument Inspector
- Senior Pipeline Inspector
- Pipeline Inspector
- NDE Inspector
- Painting/Coating Inspector
- Scaffolding Inspector

If you or other are interesting to joint with us, please send your updated CV and qualification certificates for our consideration as my e-mail below.

Best Regards,
Miss Siwaporn Sadtakum
Inspection Project Coordinator

Description: Description: Description: Description: applusvelosi_peq

Velosi Certification Services Co., Ltd.
M | +6685 3177519
E | s-sadtakum@velosi.com Skype| siwa_ie10
T | +6638 351660, +6638 354430-31
F | +6638 351661 W | www.velosi.com
A | 217/27 Moo 12, Tungsukla, Sriracha, Chonburi, Thailand 20230

Cari kaedah baru bekal gas

Gas Malaysia Bhd. (Gas Malaysia) sentiasa mencari jalan untuk terus inovatif bagi membekalkan gas memandangkan banyak kawasan perindustrian masih belum dapat ditembusi.

Pengarah Urusannya, Datuk Muhamad Noor Hamid berkata, faktor utama bekalan gas tidak dapat disalurkan ke sesetengah kawasan industri ialah masalah saluran paip gas dan antara kawasan yang yang masih belum dapat ditembusi ialah Ipoh, Pekan dan Batu Pahat.

''Oleh itu, selain menggunakan saluran paip gas, kami turut menyediakan 'tanker' bagi menghantar bekalan kepada pelanggan.

''Objektif Gas Malaysia adalah menghantar bekalan kepada industri dan bukan sahaja memikirkan peningkatan jualan atau keuntungan.

''Kami masih lagi menilai cara terbaik untuk menghantar bekalan tersebut dan berharap dapat memuktamadkan perancangan itu menjelang akhir tahun ini,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini.

Ketika ditanya mengenai perancangan Gas Malaysia untuk mengadakan kerjasama dengan syarikat luar, Muhamad Noor berkata, pihaknya tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk menjalankan kerjasama di peringkat antarabangsa pada masa hadapan.

''Pada masa ini fokus kami adalah di pasaran tempatan dan apabila sampai masa, pengembangan perniagaan di luar akan dibuat.

''Kami mempunyai kepakaran dan pengalaman sekiranya tidak menjalankan kerjasama, Gas Malaysia turut mampu mengeksport kepakaran.

''Setakat ini, kami masih lagi meninjau peluang bersesuaian dengan syarikat,'' jelasnya.

Tambah Muhamad Noor, bagi suku ketiga Gas Malaysia optimis mencatatkan keputusan kewangan lebih baik berbanding suku pertama dan kedua tahun ini.

''Keyakinan tersebut dibuat berdasarkan permintaan yang lebih baik dan suku tersebut juga adalah tempoh perbandingan antara suku lebih setanding dengan tahun lalu,'' ujarnya.

Muhamad Noor berkata, pada tahun ini Gas Malaysia telah memperuntukkan perbelanjaan modal tertinggi sebanyak RM140 juta, pada tahun hadapan jumlah tersebut dikurangkan dengan pembayaran dividen juga adalah pada kadar minimum sebanyak 75 peratus.

Gas Malaysia baru-baru ini telah memeterai perjanjian dengan Petronas Gas Bhd. (PetGas) untuk meningkatkan bekalan gas asli sebanyak 110 juta kaki padu standard sehari (mmscfd) kepada 492 mmscfd.

Bekalan tersebut adalah sehingga 2015.

Selepas 2015, Gas Malaysia fokus untuk mendapatkan lebih volum dan optimistik mendapatkannya untuk tempoh 2016 sehingga 2018. - Utusan

McDermott Orders Pipelay Vessel from Spanish Shipyard

McDermott International, Inc. announced that it will build another high capacity reeled pipelay vessel with top-tier payload capacity, tentatively named Lay Vessel 108 (“LV108”).

The vessel will be a sister ship to the recently completed subsea construction vessel the Lay Vessel North Ocean 105 (“LV105”), and is to be built to similar specifications at Metalships and Docks S.A.U. shipyard in Vigo, Spain.

“LV108 is another milestone in our vessel renewal program focusing on the subsea construction market for flexible and rigid product installation,” said Stephen M. Johnson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDermott. “Market analysis indicates that the subsea and deepwater construction market is expected to continue to grow and there is demand for more tonnage in both the rigid reel lay and flexible lay markets. The LV108 is expected to meet this need.”

LV108 is designed for advanced deepwater operations with a high-capacity tower for rigid and flexible pipelay and state-of-the-art marine construction equipment that will enable installation of a variety of products to a depth of 10,000 feet, including rigid-reeled pipelines, subsea components and hardware, and deepwater moorings for floating facilities as well as flexible products – cables and umbilicals.

The principal characteristics of the vessel, such as payload, tension capacity and product size, will mirror those of the LV105, but McDermott anticipates enhanced functionality of the LV108 equipment design compared to the LV105. Delivery of LV108 is anticipated to be around third quarter 2014 for outfitting of the custom-designed lay system, built by a specialist fabricator in Europe.

The vertical reel will have a nominal payload of 2,500 tons plus, subject to vessel loading conditions, and a lay tower operational between 90 and 40 degrees. The nominal tension capacity is expected to be 400 tons, and the range of pipe the vessel can install is between 4 to 16 inches diameter. This 427-foot, dynamically positioned vessel will be equipped with a 400-ton heave compensated crane, will have a transit speed of 15 knots and will operate across a range of water depths up to more than 10,000 feet.

“In May we completed building and outfitting the LV105, a vessel that aims to improve our worldwide capabilities to meet the growing needs and technical challenges of the subsea and deepwater markets. The vessel will perform its first project in Asia in up to 4,430 feet of water. We look forward to LV108 joining the LV105 and other vessels in our fleet in 2014,” said Johnson.