FPSO Crystal Ocean Arrives in Gippsland Basin

The Basker Manta Joint Venture reports that the recently upgraded FPSO Crystal Ocean has arrived on location in Bass Strait, and is preparing to reconnect to the subsea production system. The arrival of the Crystal Ocean is the culmination of 6 months of major development activities both in the field and in Singapore Shipyards.

The offshore subsea installation vessel, the "CSO Venturer", departed from the Gippsland Basin two weeks ago. The installation work, in 160 m water depth, among other things involved the setting of a production manifold and the connection of 5 wells; 4 producers (Manta 2A, Basker 2, 3, and 5), and one tandem gas injector/oil producer (Basker 4).

The upgrade of the two production vessels completed in Singapore, involved the installation of gas handling facilities, including a 7500 HP centrifugal compressor, on the FPSO "Crystal Ocean" and the upgrade of the Bow Loading System and vessel recertification of the shuttle tanker "Basker Spirit". These activities will allow the full capacity of the original planned facilities to be brought into production, estimated at oil rates of up to 25,000 barrels oil per day (bopd) and gas injection rates of up to 35 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd).

Both vessels will be hooked up and undergo commissioning tests prior to first oil from the Full Field Development expected in the second week of December. This will complete a significant two year oil development project for the Joint Venture companies and their shareholders.

The participants in the Basker-Manta Joint Venture are Anzon Australia Limited as operator with 50% and Beach Petroleum with the remaining 50%.