Thai-focused exploration firm Salamander Energy says this summer’s oil spill on the country’s coast has held up plans for its drilling work.
The London-based firm is still waiting for approval on an environmental impact assessment lodged for its offshore Ayutthaya prospect.
However, the massive oil spill in July, which saw more than 13,000 gallons of oil leak from a pipeline operated by state-owned PTT wash ashore along one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, has delayed the process.
“The oil spill that occurred elsewhere in the Gulf of Thailand in July has understandably impacted the EIA approval process and the lessons learned from this incident will now need to be reflected in an updated oil spill response plan,” the company said.
“We will resubmit the EIA application once this work has been completed.”
Meanwhile Salamander has been boosted by successful gas tests at its Pha Nok Khao reservoir – but another well in the region has come up dry.
The company confirmed the offshore Ayutthaya prospect in the Gulf of Thailand failed to yield any positive results after being drilled to 2,294m.
But Salamander’s onshore PNK well turned up strong results, with flow tests of more than 50million standard cubic feet per day.
“The flow rate is commercial and is among the best production rates seen in the field,” the company said.
The Pha Nok Khao well was the first to be drilled following newly acquired seismic data, and gives hope to similar discoveries across the rest of the block.
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