The Te Giac Trang (White Rhinoceros) oilfield lies in block 16-1 of the Cuu Long Basin of the South China Sea, offshore Vietnam. The field lies at a water depth of 148ft (45m).
The field is operated by Hoang Long Joint Operating Company (JOC), a partnership formed between PetroVietnam (41%), Soco International (28.5%), PTT Exploration and Production (28.5%) and OPECO Vietnam (2%).
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade approved the development of the field in September 2009 and first oil was produced in August 2011.
During the first phase, the field is expected to achieve a plateau production of 55,000 barrels of oil per day and 30 million cubic feet per day of natural gas. The phase II development will add 40,000bopd to the production.
Discovery
The Te Giac Trang field was discovered in 2003 with the drilling of the TGT-1X well. By 2008, seven exploration and appraisal wells were drilled, each flowing at an average rate of 11,300 barrels of oil equivalent a day.
Two appraisal wells were drilled in 2008. Drill stem tests conducted on the field confirmed its commercial viability.
Geology and reserves
The field reservoir consists of Miocene sandstone and the reserves are estimated to contain 300 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Te Giac Trang field development
The field is being developed using two wellhead platforms, H1 and H4, the installation of which has been completed. Several production and injection wells will be drilled and connected to these platforms.
Oil produced from the platforms is exported to the Armada TGT 1 FPSO via a subsea pipeline system.
The gas produced is transported to the Bach Ho platform, which is located near the field.
Drilling rig PV Drilling-1 was contracted to drill the wells in the first phase of development. By May 2011, five development wells (TGT-4P to 8P) were drilled from the H1 platform and suspended as producers.
Phase II development drilling from the H4 platform will commence in September 2011.
FPSO Armada TGT 1
A suezmax tanker was converted into the FPSO Armada TGT 1 for use at the field. The FPSO can handle 55,000bopd and has a storage capacity of 620,000 barrels of oil. The topsides of the FPSO weigh nearly 12,000t. The FPSO can withstand harsh environmental conditions.
The conversion process was completed in June 2011.
Te Giac Trang contracts
In July 2009, PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation won a $150m contract for the construction, installation and commissioning of the H1 platform and the H4 platform jacket.
Bumi Armada and Vietsovpetro were awarded a $700m contract in November 2009 for the Armada TGT 1 FPSO conversion.
The seven-year contract also includes the installation and commissioning of the FPSO at the field. It includes one-year extensions for up to 15 years. Vietsovpetro will be responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of the facility. Bumi Armada contracted Keppel Offshore and Marine to carry out the FPSO conversion.
The scope of work includes refurbishment, installation of living quarters, topsides, turret support structures and support systems.
Germanischer Lloyd was awarded a contract to provide certification services for the two wellhead platforms and subsea infrastructure.
AlphaNDT was contracted to perform non destructive testing services for the FPSO.
In April 2010, J Ray McDermott won the contract to transport and install two wellhead platform jackets and topsides, infield pipelines and a subsea isolation valve at the field.
Cables International was awarded a contract in July 2010 to supply all cables for the field’s development.
In November 2010, Denmark-based Logstor won a $15m contract to provide pipe coating services.
DK Engineering supplied fuel gas conditioning, and open and close drain skids for the H1 and H4 platforms in 2010.
PetroVietnam Equipment Assembly and Metal was awarded a $44m contract in July 2011 to build the topsides for the H4 platform.
